NGT Flags Concerns Over Tourism Construction Atop Deomali, Notices Odisha & Centre

The National Green Tribunal has issued notices to the Union Ministry of Environment and Odisha Forest Department over the proposed tourism construction on Deomali hilltop in Koraput district. After hearing a petition filed by the Wildlife Society of Odisha, the NGT's Kolkata Eastern Zone Bench has also issued notices to the Odisha Biodiversity Board, Koraput Collector, Koraput Forest Division and Semiliguda Forest Ranger. The peak of Deomali is a world famous bio diversity heritage place and is known for its endemic species of flora and fauna with many rare species of plants and animals including 84 precious medicinal plants not found anywhere in the world. However, as per the complaint, the planned construction work of permanent cottages is feared to ruin the biodiversity of the place.