More trouble for MK Yadava, Centre issues show cause for diversion of forest land in Geleky

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 30, 2024

More trouble seems to be brewing for Mahendra Kumar Yadava, the Special Chief Secretary (Forest), who is already entangled in three cases in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) which challenge his role as the then Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) for allegedly diverting forest land beyond his authority and bypassing the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

In a new development, the MoEF&CC has issued a show-cause notice to Yadava, accusing him of illegally diverting forest land without the required clearance. This diversion was for the construction of a commando battalion camp at Geleky Reserve Forest in Assam’s Sivasagar district. The mounting allegations could further complicate his position, raising concerns about accountability and adherence to environmental regulations in forest land management.

Yadava is now facing a show-cause notice issued under Section 3A of the Forest Conservation Act on September 18, for alleged violations of the Forest Conservation Amendment Act, 2023, at Geleky. The notice relates to the unauthorized diversion of 28 hectares of forest land within the Geleky Reserved Forest, located along the Assam-Nagaland border, for the construction of a Commando Battalion camp.

Section 3A of the Forest Conservation Act stipulates penalties for violating or abetting the violation of Section 2, with punishments including up to 15 days of simple imprisonment. The allegations point to Yadava’s role in bypassing the necessary approvals from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) during his tenure as Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), adding to the ongoing scrutiny of his actions in other cases involving forest land diversion.

A high-level central team led by Anjan Mohanty, IFS, ADG-FC from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), along with senior officials from the ministry, conducted a site inspection of the Geleky Reserved Forest violation site on September 27, 2024. The team, which also included Rajendra Garawad, DIG from the MoEF&CC Regional Office, CCF-Forest Conservation in Assam, and Sivasagar DFO Sayambrita Dutta Madhab, carried out the inspection as directed by the Eastern Zone Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The Site Inspection Report (SIR) is expected to be submitted to the NGT Bench this week, ahead of the scheduled hearing on October 4.

The investigation stems from a petition filed by environmental activist Rohit Choudhury, who alleged that the Assam Forest Department, under the leadership of then Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) M.K. Yadava, illegally diverted 28 hectares of forest land in Geleky for the construction of a Commando Battalion camp. Choudhury claims Yadava misused his authority by approving the project without securing clearance from the MoEF&CC, thereby violating the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

This is not the only case against Yadava. The New Delhi Bench of the NGT is also investigating a similar allegation concerning the illegal clearance of forest land within the Inner Line Reserve Forest in Assam’s Hailakandi district. Both cases raise serious concerns about the misuse of power and procedural lapses in forest land management.

Environment ministry issues notice to ex-PCCF MK Yadava over diversion of Geleky forest land.