Sikharchandi Anchalika Suraksha Samiti (SASS) has alleged that the construction work atop Sikharchandi hill undertaken by the State government is going on unabated despite an abeyance notice issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
As per the allegation by SASS, despite the stay order by the NGT, the construction of the water tank atop the hill is going on damaging the bio-diversity including endangered plant species in the area.
NGT had issued a stay order on the construction work on the 212 acres of land atop the hill. Construction work was allowed only on three acres of land. However, construction is going on beyond the allowed three acres periphery and SASS has put up a strong objection to it.
Moreover, SASS has threatened to intensify its stir if the construction work is not stopped immediately. The committee has also urged one and all to join the massive plantation drive atop the hill on July 22.
“Sikharchandi hill is being destroyed. As per the rule by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), no construction could be made atop the hill. Trees were cut without taking permission. We warn the government to intensify our stir if the construction work is not stopped immediately. A massive plantation drive atop the hill will be organised on July 22 to make up for the tree cuts,” said Dilip Srinadan, convener of Prerana Green Army.
“The government is ruining the natural biodiversity of Sikharchandi hill by making construction. The construction work could be conducted anywhere. But the government can’t create this kind of hill with full of natural biodiversity,” said Tapan Chakravarthy, Sarpanch of Daruthenga.