The National Green Tribunal has directed the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF & CC) to examine whether Kamalapur Zoological Park has been established on forestland in Ballari district in violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
The NGT Bench comprising Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, Justice S.P. Wangdi and K. Ramakrishnan, both judicial members, and Nagin Nanda, expert member, passed this order on January 23, while disposing of an application filed by Jeyenth Vijayaraghavanam, a Chennai-based nature lover. “Let the MoEF & CC look into the allegations and examine the matter in accordance with law. If there is non-forest activity as alleged on forestland without requisite sanction, appropriate action may be taken within one month,” the order said.
The order also said that the action taken report may be furnished to the tribunal within a month.
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The Forest Department had established the zoological park on 141.59 acres at Bilikal reserve forest in Kamalapur.