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Judgment of the National Green Tribunal regarding Chalfilh Tourist Destination, Mizoram, 19/01/2022

  • 19/01/2022

Judgment of the National Green Tribunal (Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata) in the matter of Centre for Environment Protection (CEP) Vs Union of India & Others dated 19/01/2022. The matter is related to Chalfilh Tourist Destination.

The NGT vide its order, January 5, 2021 had directed the government of Mizoram to furnish particulars of all the officers of the PWD, Mizoram who were responsible for implementation and construction of the project road in respect of the project. The Tribunal in its order, November 17, 2021 had noted that in the affidavit filed by the state respondents, it was shown that large scale construction for Phase-I had been completed, whereas only part of the construction with regard to Phase-II had been made and thereafter the project was abandoned since the Ministry of Tourism did not release the complete funds.

The NGT, November 17, 2021 said that the counsel for the state of Mizoram had informed the court that till date no application for grant of Phase-I and Phase-II clearances have been filed by Mizoram with the forest department nor has any environment clearance sought. "That being the factual position, we find that the entire construction carried out either in Phase-I and Phase-II of Chalfilh Tourist Project is absolutely illegal," the order had said.

The NGT, January 19, 2022 directed the Deputy Director General of Forests, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Integrated Regional Office, Shillong, to conduct enquiry and expeditiously pass appropriate orders with respect to nine former officials of the PWD and the tourism department, Mizoram in accordance with law.