Orissa High Court Issues Contempt Notice to Puri Collector Over Konark Balukhand Sanctuary Delay

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court on Friday issued a contempt of court notice to the Puri District Collector for alleged non-compliance with its earlier directions regarding the proposed Konark Balukhand Wildlife Sanctuary.

A division bench of the High Court has asked the Collector to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated for failing to act in accordance with the court’s previous orders. The court has directed him to submit a detailed reply within three weeks.

The notice arises from prolonged inaction over the implementation of the proposed sanctuary, despite an official notification being issued in 1987. Nearly four decades later, the land acquisition process remains incomplete. Affected landowners have reportedly neither received compensation nor had their land formally surrendered or released.

Earlier, the High Court had taken note of the uncertainty faced by landowners and directed state authorities to take a final decision on the proposed Konark Balukhand Sanctuary. In December 2024, the court granted additional time and set a deadline to resolve the issue.

However, the alleged failure to comply with these directions has led the court to initiate contempt proceedings. The case underscores continuing administrative delays in addressing long-pending land acquisition and conservation matters, leaving both environmental concerns and landowners’ rights unresolved.