In August 2024, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered a joint committee to investigate alleged industrial activities and environmental degradation near the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Morigaon, Assam.
This decision came after residents complained about brick kilns, cement factories, and stone quarries being established within the proposed eco-sensitive zone of the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam.
The tribunal registered a suo-motu case based on a letter sent by Utpal Saikia and others alleging that Dilip Chetry, an industrialist, was attempting to establish a brick kiln and other industries within the proposed eco-sensitive zone of the sanctuary.
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, situated roughly 45 kms away from Guwahati, is renowned for its rich biodiversity and dense population of wildlife species including rhinos and hornbills. Despite its protected status, the sanctuary has been at the centre of controversy due to government's attempts to de-notify the area and ease restrictions on nearby industrial activities. According to a report by the NorthEast Now, the Assam government has been planning to de-notify parts of Pobitora, sparking opposition from environmentalists and local communities.
The NGT ordered the formation of a joint committee comprising officials from various environmental and forest departments, including the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Assam State Pollution Control Board. This committee is also tasked with investigating the extent of industrial pollution and its impact on the sanctuary's ecosystem.
The joint advisory committee failed to submit the report to the NGT in October. Following which, the tribunal ordered the committee to submit its report within one month, or else its members will be required to appear before the NGT.
Meanwhile, the Assam government’s deliberation to de-notify Pobitora drew substantial criticism. Environmental activists and wildlife conservationists argue that this move would significantly endanger biodiversity in these regions, particularly affecting the vulnerable rhino populations in Pobitora.
The Supreme Court too intervened in response to petitions from environmental groups, issuing a stay on the de-notification plans and demanding clarification on the government’s intentions. In addition to addressing the de-notification concerns, the Supreme Court has also expressed dissatisfaction with the state government’s delays in finalizing the boundary demarcation of Pobitora, which has been ongoing for several years. The court’s recent rebuke reflects broader frustrations with Assam's approach to conservation management. The top court asked the state government to consider the issue with urgency and warned that any failure to do so would entail serious consequences.
The outcome of the joint committee’s probe and subsequent decisions by the NGT and Supreme Court will have significant implications for Pobitora’s future as a protected wildlife habitat. Should the Assam government succeed in its de-notification efforts, it could open the door for expanded industrial activity around the sanctuary, potentially leading to further habitat loss, endangered status to the wildlife species and increased pollution.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Opposition against environmental degradation
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Common
Forest and Non-Forest
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Original Project Deadline
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Other environmental services
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Source/Reference
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
Type of investment:
Year of Estimation
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Violation of environmental laws
Violation of standard international laws
Legal Status:
In Court
Status of Case In Court
Pending
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Yes
Name of the adjudicatory body
NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL (PRINCIPAL BENCH)
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Gauhati High Court, Supreme Court of India
Case Number
WP(C)/4604/2019; Writ Petition(s)(Civil) No(s). 202/1995; Original Application No.808/2024 (NGT)
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
No
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Assam Forest Department, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF), Assam, Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, State Pollution Control Board (SPCP), Assam and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
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