Legal Action Looms Over Unauthorized Development Projects in Jajpur District

National Green Tribunal Takes Notice of Environmental Violations

Jajpur: A significant legal inquiry has been initiated regarding development projects valued at Rs 61.60 crore that were allegedly executed on forest land in Jajpur district without obtaining the necessary approvals and environmental clearances from the Forest and Environment department.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has opened a case (109/2025/EZ) concerning unauthorized construction activities in the Sukinda and Danagadi blocks, which fall under the Union government's Forest Protection and Expansion Mission-2023.

The complaint was lodged by local resident Kailash Chandra Nayak with the NGT.

A two-member bench of the NGT, consisting of Justice B Amit Sthalekar and expert member Arun Kumar Verma, has instructed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, along with the Jajpur Collector, Tehsildars of both blocks, Cuttack DFO, and BDOs, to submit detailed responses within four weeks as mandated by law.

According to the complaint, over 140 educational infrastructure units, including new classrooms, toilets, and 73 library rooms, are being constructed in areas designated as forest land within the mineral and industrial-rich regions of Danagadi and Sukinda blocks.

These projects, which have reportedly been sanctioned and funded through the District Mineral Foundation (DMF), commenced without the required environmental clearances.

The DMF allocated Rs 13.20 crore for new classrooms in Sukinda and Rs 14 crore for Danagadi. Additionally, Rs 7.30 crore has been earmarked for library room construction in Danagadi, while another Rs 14 crore has been approved for additional classrooms in the same block. A further Rs 13.10 crore has been sanctioned for similar classroom projects in Sukinda, bringing the total sanctioned amount to Rs 61.60 crore.

These developments are taking place on 'Sabak Jungle' (recorded forest) and 'Hal Jungle' (current forest) land, raising significant environmental concerns.

The Jajpur Collector, who serves as the Managing Trustee of the DMF, allegedly approved these projects and released funds despite the lack of necessary forest clearance.

The NGT's directive initiates legal scrutiny into these alleged violations, which could potentially halt or delay ongoing construction if found to breach forest protection regulations.

In a petition dated March 30, 2025, Kailash Chandra Nayak alerted the state government about the illegal construction activities occurring without the required environmental clearance.

Following this complaint, the Undersecretary of the Forest, Environment and Climate Change department of the Odisha government issued a letter on April 9, 2025, to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, requesting an inquiry and appropriate action.

However, reports indicate that no action has been taken to cease the illegal construction on forest land. The next hearing for this case is set for August 25, 2025.