Kendrapada: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered a joint committee probe into allegations of illegal construction of commercial structures on forest land after clearing trees by a park and resort at Kotagada village under Ranpur tehsil in Nayagada district.
Taking cognisance of a petition filed by environmental activist Dillip Kumar Samantray against Jay Santoshi Maa Hill Side Park & Resorts and others, the Eastern Zone Bench of the NGT recently issued notices to the resort proprietor and several state and Central authorities. It directed a joint committee to inspect the site and submit a report within two months.
The petitioner, represented by advocate Akhand, alleged that the project proponent had illegally constructed commercial structures on 1.5 acres of forest land after clearing trees.
The petition also alleged encroachment on a two-acre water body and its commercial exploitation without obtaining the mandatory Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate from the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB).
The NGT issued notices to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), the state Forest Secretary, OSPCB, the Nayagada Collector, the Odisha Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), the Khordha Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) and the Ranpur tehsildar, besides the resort proprietor.
The tribunal directed the constitution of a joint committee comprising representatives of the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Central), the MoEF&CC’s regional office in Bhubaneswar, OSPCB, the Nayaga da Collector and the Khordha DFO. The committee has been asked to inspect the site, verify the facts and recommend appropriate remedial measures within two months.
The NGT made the Nayaga da Collector responsible for ensuring compliance with its directions.
It warned that if the report was not submitted, the Collector would have to appear personally before the Bench. The matter has been listed for further hearing December 8, 2026.