'Flouting' NGT orders: Tribunal team to visit Sikharchandi in Bhubaneswar today

A special team of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) will visit Shikharchandi hill in Bhubaneswar where trees were felled to give space to Sikharchandi Hills project.

Ahead of the team’s visit, some people were seen on Thursday uprooting the stumps of the axed tress, putting up poles and leveling the ground engaging an earth mover, poking fun at the direction of the NGT which prohibits any type of work on the land. 

Moreover, there is a stay order on the 121 acres of land atop the hill. 

Meanwhile, Sikharchandi Anchalika Suraksha Samiti has objected to the ongoing activities flouting the NGT’s order. 

The samiti wanted to know how the hill was cut without holding any public hearing meeting. The samiti warned that the Odisha government will be responsible for any loss of life.
 
In this regard, while the samiti is scheduled to meet the Khordha district Collector and hand over a memorandum to him, sarpanchs of Daruthenga and Chandka panchayats met him alleging that construction activities are going on in Sikharchandi area in violation of the National Green Tribunal’s order. 

No comment of the concerned officials could be obtained on the allegations.