BDA Removes Illegal Structures On Odisha’s Shikharchandi Hills; NGT Reserves Judgment On Construction Activity

Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) on Saturday pulled down unauthorised encroachments on a government plots at Sikharchandi as a part of the plan to develop the hills and its periphery, on the outskirts of Odisha capital,  into a tourist spot.

According to BDA officials, Alekh Mahima Ashram stood on the plot. Nine houses, four sheds, an iron gate, a big temple and 100 ft boundary wall were demolished during the eviction drive in presence of BMC squad and police. The requisition was given by Bhubaneswar Tehsildar.

Plantation drive will be carried out in the evicted area, the officials added.

The state government has decided to develop picturesque Sikharchandi hills into a major tourist spot by spending Rs 25 crore on creating nature aligned infrastructure and setting up facilities for adventure sports and tracking. The project is being implemented over 54 acre land.

Meanwhile, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has reserved its judgment following the hearing in the case pertaining to construction activities being taken up at Sikharchandi hills. The two-member Bench comprising Justice B Amit Sthalekar and expert member Arun Kumar Verma also modified its previous order expunging the fine of Rs 2,500 imposed on Chandaka Wildlife Division DFO over delay in submission of information in connection with the case.

In the affidavit, the Khurda collector submitted that no forest clearance is required for proposed development activities undertaken by state authorities at the hill since the areas were not recorded as forest till October 1980 and excluded from the purview of Forest Conservation Act 1980. He further stated that no environment clearance or environmental assessment study is required for the elevated water storage tank being taken up on 3 acres as it does not meet the threshold limit of 20,000 square metre for building and construction project as provided under the MoEF-EIA notification of 2006.

The affidavit mentioned about around Rs 3.51 crore sanctioned to Odisha Forest Development Corporation by BDA for plantation of 18,000 saplings at Sikharchandi hills along with their maintenance for five years. Around 14,000 saplings have already been planted in the hill area as on September 26, it added.

The petitioner, who challenged the project, had sought a direction from NGT to the State Biodiversity Board Odisha to take steps and declare the hill a biodiversity heritage site. “We have also urged for exploration of alternative sites for the water storage project. If none of the sites to be identified are feasible for this project, as a last resort they (government authorities) make an attempt to continue their project at the site,” advocate Sankar Prasad Pani, counsel for the petitioner, told TNIE.

While the tribunal has kept in abeyance the ongoing construction activities in Sikharchandi hills, which is part of Chandaka Wildlife Division, citing it may damage the biodiversity and other endangered plant species in the area, a joint committee constituted by it earlier observed that the Water Corporation of Odisha’s (Watco) elevated water storage tank project at Sikharchandi hill will not have significant impact on the environment.