Bhubaneswar: The Orissa High Court has issued a notice to Puri district Collector Dibya Jyoti Parida for contempt proceedings in a case pertaining to Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary.
The High Court has directed the Collector to submit a reply to the contempt of court notice within three weeks. The Collector has been asked to explain as to why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against him in connection with the case.
The authorities concerned had issued a notification for the Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary in Puri district in 1987. However, the district administration is yet to complete the land acquisition process for the wildlife sanctuary even after nearly four decades.
Affected landowners have neither received compensation nor has the land been formally surrendered or released.
Taking note of the prolonged uncertainty faced by landowners, the High Court had earlier directed the authorities to take a final decision regarding the proposed sanctuary. In December 2024, the court granted an extension and fixed a deadline for concluding the matter.
However, the alleged failure to comply with these directions has prompted the court to serve contempt notice on the district collector.
