NGT Gives Final Chance in Similipal Resort Case

The National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) Eastern Zone Bench in Kolkata has given the Odisha Chief Secretary and Baripada DFO one final opportunity to submit their additional replies in a case involving a proposed resort at Laxmiposi, located within the eco-sensitive zone of the Similipal Tiger Reserve.

The officials had earlier been allowed to file additional or amended responses but failed to provide the required documents within the given deadline. The tribunal has now warned that further non-compliance could lead to their personal appearance before the bench, either physically or through video conferencing, to explain the delay.

The proposed resort covers 93.280 acres. In an earlier order dated May 26, the NGT had directed that the status quo at the site be maintained and prohibited IDCO, IPICOL/DIPA and Hotel Sonar Bangla from carrying out any construction work at the project site.