NGT sends notice to Centre and others regarding alleged misuse of protected forest land in Nicobar.

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal has taken notice of a matter involving the alleged misuse of protected forest land for non-forestry purposes in Nicobar district. The tribunal has requested a response from the Central government and other involved parties in this case. Furthermore, the tribunal has put a hold on any police action against a forest officer who had raised concerns about this misuse of land.

The Kolkata Eastern Zonal Bench of the NGT, consisting of Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Ishwar Singh, was presiding over the case. The plea was filed by advocate Gaurav Bansal on behalf of petitioner Naresh Chaudhary, stating that protected forest land was being diverted and used for non-forestry purposes without obtaining prior approval from the Central government. This, according to the plea, goes against various notifications and rules, including the Forest Act of 1980 (now known as the Van Adhiniyam) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands Protected Forest Rules of 1986.

The plea also mentioned a letter dated June 10, 2025, sent by the Divisional Forest Officer of Nicobar division to the Executive Engineer of Andaman Public Works Department, Kamorta, regarding the construction of rainfed ponds under the Mission Amrit Sarovar Scheme in various locations of the Nicobar district. The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had asked the Andaman and Nicobar Administration for relevant background, circumstances, purpose, and supporting documents to properly assess the matter and take appropriate action. However, the plea alleged that during the meetings of the Andaman and Nicobar Land Allotment Committee on December 17, 2025, and January 27, 2026, the committee recommended land allotment without obtaining prior approval from the Centre, as required by the Forest Act.

The plea also claimed that the Deputy Commissioner of Nicobar district had written a letter on January 29, 2026, to the Superintendent of Police, requesting action against the Divisional Forest Officer, Nicobar. In its order dated July 29, the tribunal stated that the allegations raised "substantial questions relating to the environment" and were in violation of relevant rules regarding the diversion of protected forest land for non-forestry purposes without prior approval from the Centre. The tribunal has requested a response from the Centre and other involved authorities in the Union territory of Andaman and Nicobar.

Moreover, advocate Bansal sought a stay on the Deputy Commissioner's letter, stating that it was arbitrary and undermined the independent discharge of statutory functions by officers responsible for protecting and conserving forests. The tribunal has directed the Superintendent of Police to refrain from taking any action until further notice. The green panel has also directed the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police to comply with the order and has set the next hearing for August 14.

The petitioner has also requested a declaration that local regulations, such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Regulation of 1956, do not take precedence over the requirement of central approval for the diversion of forest land. The plea also seeks an inquiry by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change into all such allotments made in Nicobar district after 1980 and the restoration of any illegally diverted forest land. In conclusion, the National Green Tribunal is taking necessary steps to address the issue of protected forest land being used for non-forestry purposes without proper approval.

The tribunal has requested a response from the Centre and other involved parties and has put a hold on any police action against the concerned forest officer. The next hearing is scheduled for August 14, and the petition also seeks an inquiry into all such land allotments made in the Nicobar district.