National Green Tribunal (NGT) comprising Justice Sheo Kumar Singh and expert member Dr Arun Kumar Verma has rejected review application filed in connection with construction of diamond mine by cutting about 4 lakh trees in Buxawaha forest. Dr P G Najpande and Rajat Bhargava had filed the review application against the NGT order dated January 24, 2023 dismissing their original application by terming it pre-mature.

Justice Sheo Kumar Singh and Dr Arun Kumar Verma, while dismissing review application, said that necessary forest clearance is still pending with the Government, so the applicants were given an opportunity to file an application or grievance before appropriate authorities after finalisation of the matter by the Ministry of Environment and Forest.

Review petition cannot be taken as appeal to re-examine the order passed by the Tribunal in the original application. NGT has dismissed the review application terming it as devoid of any merits.

Applicants filed applications on grievance that the mining lease for 364 hectares area in Buxawaha protected forest area in MP was granted in favour of Essel Mining Industries Limited by issuing the Letter of Intent (LoI) and raised objections on point of environmental damage on grounds including move will cause deforestation in 382 hectares of protected forest. It will cause felling of about 4 lakh trees, will intersect ground water and it will lead to water scarcity. Ecosystem of this area will also be disturbed and ecological balance will be lost. The deforestation will cause particularly to avifauna. Dr. P G Najpande and Rajat Bhargava said they will challenge the order of the NGT in the Supreme Court.