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NGT Issues Notices to Odisha Officials Over Maninag Reserve Forest Encroachment Non-Compliance
The NGT has initiated execution proceedings against senior Odisha officials for alleged non-compliance with an order to remove illegal encroachments from Maninag Reserve Forest.
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Tribunal seeks replies in execution case over alleged failure to remove illegal encroachments and recover environmental compensation in Nayagarh district
Bhubaneswar, Odisha: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to senior Odisha government officials, environmental authorities and alleged encroachers over the alleged non-compliance with its earlier order directing the removal of illegal encroachments from the Maninag Reserve Forest and adjoining government land at Akhupadar village in Nayagarh district.
The Tribunal is also examining the alleged failure to assess and recover environmental compensation for the damage caused to the forest land.
NGT Initiates Execution Proceedings Over Earlier Order
The NGT’s Eastern Zone Bench had passed directions on February 14, 2025, in Original Application No. 108/2024/EZ, concerning alleged encroachment and damage to forest land at Akhupadar village under Ranpur Tahasil in Nayagarh district, including the construction of a farmhouse.
The Tribunal had directed the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Khordha, and the Collector and District Magistrate, Nayagarh, to take immediate steps to remove the illegal encroachments and restore the affected land to its original condition within one month. The authorities were also directed to calculate the environmental compensation payable for the damage to the Reserve Forest land and initiate steps for its recovery.
However, applicant Srikant Dash subsequently alleged that the directions had not been implemented, prompting him to approach the Tribunal through execution proceedings. The NGT registered Execution Application No. 06/2026/EZ in the original case to examine the alleged non-compliance.
Notices Issued to Senior Government Officials and Alleged Encroachers
During the hearing on September 24, 2026, the Eastern Zone Bench took note of the submission that its February 2025 order remained unimplemented. The Tribunal subsequently issued notices to all the respondents, directing them to file their replies.
The respondents include the Chief Secretary of Odisha; the Additional Chief Secretary of the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department; the Principal Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department; the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Odisha; the Collector, Nayagarh; the DFO, Khordha; the Member Secretary of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board; the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC); and the alleged encroachers, Swaraj Mahanti and Rangeen Mahanti.
According to Mr. Akhand, counsel for the applicant, the notices were issued in view of the allegations that the Tribunal’s earlier directions had not been complied with.
Joint Committee Report Flags Encroachment on Government Land
A joint committee comprising representatives of the Nayagarh district administration, Khordha Forest Division and the Odisha State Pollution Control Board had examined the site and documented alleged encroachments in the area.
The committee reported that the Swastik Farm House was surrounded by the Maninag Reserve Forest and that approximately 0.57 acres of government land was under the farm’s alleged illegal possession. The report also noted the construction of a green fence and an overhead water tank on the government land.
Tribunal Records Encroachment on 0.28 Hectare of Reserve Forest
More significantly, the Tribunal took note of findings indicating that approximately 0.28 hectare of land within the Maninag Reserve Forest had been encroached upon.
The affidavit submitted by the Divisional Forest Officer also referred to alleged encroachment by another person on 0.20 acres of Government Plot No. 66, recorded as “Patara Jungle”. According to the affidavit, an outhouse had been constructed over 0.04 acres, while plantation activities had been undertaken over the remaining 0.16 acres.
The Tribunal further recorded an additional alleged encroachment of 0.03 acres on land recorded as “Rasta” under Plot No. 121.
These findings form part of the record concerning the alleged occupation and use of forest and government land in the area.
Compliance and Environmental Compensation Under Scrutiny
Despite the one-month deadline stipulated in the February 14, 2025 order, the applicant has contended that the directions for removing the encroachments, restoring the affected land and recovering environmental compensation remain unfulfilled.
With notices now issued in the execution proceedings, the respondents have been directed to submit their replies before the Tribunal. The proceedings will examine the allegations of non-compliance with the earlier order and the steps, if any, taken by the concerned authorities to implement the directions.
The case brings renewed attention to the enforcement of environmental protection orders and the accountability of authorities responsible for safeguarding reserve forest land from encroachment.
Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Rift.
