The Western Bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC) and Maha Metro Rail Corporation Limited for initiating construction work on Zudpi Jungle land near Futala lake, which is a blatant violations of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. NGT admitted a petition challenging the legality of two major constructions, including Rs 236 crore International Agriculture Convention Centre in Dabha area and a parking plaza near Futala Lake,

 

being executed on Zudpi Jungle land without proper forest clearances. In the notice, the Tribunal is seeking a response within four weeks after the hearing. Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh, Judicial Member and Dr Sujit Kumar Bajpayee, Expert Member heard the matter in the Tribunal. The bench quoted, “We find substantial position relating to environment is made out in the present case. Therefore, we direct the registry to issue notices on main application as well as the interim application to the respondents, returnable within four weeks.

 

” The tribunal directed that both the main application and interim relief plea be registered and listed for further consideration on March 16. As per the applicant, MSIDC is constructing convention centre project at Khasra No 175, Mouza Dabha and the land belongs to Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), Akola. Whereas, the second land parcel, at Khasra No 13/3, Mouza Futala is also a Zudpi Jungle and owned by PDKV. Maha Metro is constructing a parking plaza on this land. The applicant urged the Tribunal that the said construction is alleged to have been done without permission of Forest Department and it is a violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, therefore, the illegal construction should be demolished and further construction should be stopped.