NGT orders surprise inspection on NH through Kaziranga Park

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed surprise inspection on the national highway passing through the Kaziranga National Park in Assam to curb encroachment, including hotels and other commercial activities, on the road.

A Bench, headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, directed the Director of Kaziranga National Park, MK Yadava, to inspect National Highway-37, which passes from Jakhalabandha to Bokakhat through the Kaziranga Park.

The green panel also directed Yadava to submit a comprehensive affidavit “dealing with the various aspects, including hotels and projects and other commercial activity, coming up within 10 km of the boundary of the national park”.

“He shall also file a list of such constructions or activity that are offending the distance of 10 km as contemplated under the orders of the Supreme Court of India,” the Bench said.

It also asked the Assam government to apprise it about the steps it has taken to prevent animal deaths on roads by vehicles. The Bench has directed the Secretary of the Assam government, senior officer from Ministry of Surface and Road Transport and the Director of Kaziranga National Park to be present in person on December 9, 2015, the next date of hearing.

The Tribunal had earlier directed the Assam government to clear its stand on eco-sensitive zones and how it has permitted large-scale hotel projects to come up in and around the Kaziranga National Park – home to the famous one-horned rhinos.

The NGT’s direction came during a hearing on a plea filed by environmentalist Rohit Choudhury opposing expansion of NH-37 which passes from Jakhalabandha to Bokakhat through the Kaziranga Park.