Assam Commando Camp Violates Forest Laws, Ministry Tells NGT

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that an Assam Commando Battalion Camp was constructed in the Geleky Reserved Forest, Sivasagar, without prior approval, violating the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

The ministry’s affidavit followed an NGT order seeking details of actions against former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), MK Yadava, for diverting 28 hectares of reserved forest land for the camp. An inspection revealed that large-scale, non-forest-related construction was ongoing, contradicting conservation laws.

Despite the Assam government’s claim that the camp was meant to protect the forest, the NGT rejected the argument, emphasizing that only the Central Government could authorize such construction. The case originated from a petition by environmental activist Rohit Choudhury.