NGT directs Odisha govt to evict KIIT, KISS from forest land

Bhubaneswar: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Odisha government to evict Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences from the 18 acre of encroached forest land at Pathargadia area of Bhubaneswar and bring it under its possession.

Hearing a PIL filed by Human Rights activist Subash Mohaptra, the tribunal issued this directive to the Chiec Secretary.

In pursuant to this direction, Chandaka DFO, Khurda Collector and Forests & Environment Department Secretary have been ordered to demarcate the encroached forest land and take back to their control.

Speaking to media persons, Subash Mohapatra said an education mafia has encroached upon18 acre of forest land belonging to general public in the name of tribals and protection of forest rights.

The NGT has ruled that the KIIT had in an unauthorised manner built Kalinga Relief and Charitable Trust on the 18 acre of forest land without taking approval and clearance from the Forest & Environment Department.

The next hearing on the case has been scheduled for April 26.

Meanwhile, KIIT authorities declined to comment on the matter.