Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding leasing out of forest land to Essar Steel, Keonjhar District, Odisha, 19/02/2019
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Jharana Pradhan Versus State of Odisha & Others dated 19/02/2019 regrding Industrial Development Corporation (IDCO) while creating Land Bank for establishment of industries and allied purposes had applied to the State Government through the Collector, Keonjhar District, Odisha for providing 306.670 decimals of land, most of which are forest land being recorded as Kisam Gramya Jungle. 
After the allotment in its favour, the IDCO has leased it out to M/s. Essar Steel India Ltd., for its use for non-forest activities. It has been stated that while doing so, no clearance has been obtained under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
NGT directs for a Committee to be constituted to visit and inspect the area in question and verify the factual aspects and submit a report within a period of one month.