Gurgaon: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed Haryana govt to furnish complete details of a proposed eco-tourism project on a forest land in Bhondsi.The case pertains to Chandrashekhar Smriti Van, formerly known as Bharat Yatra Kendra. A petition has alleged that constructions and other activities are being undertaken within the forest area in violation of environmental norms.On Aug 3, the tribunal directed the state to place on record complete details of the activities proposed at Eco-tourism Centre and Nature Camp — spread across 88.5 acres — along with particulars of the construction proposed or already being carried out on the forest land.The tribunal also recorded that replies had been filed by several authorities, granted the petitioner eight weeks to file a rejoinder, if any, and listed the matter for further hearing on Oct 16.The Haryana forest department has told NGT that the 88.5-acre parcel has been transferred to Haryana Forest Development Corporation (HFDC) for developing Eco-tourism Centre and Nature Camp.Hearing a petition filed by resident Naveen Bamel against Union of India, the state govt, MCG, Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) and other authorities, a bench of NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Dr Afroz Ahmad noted Haryana govt’s submission.According to Haryana forest department’s reply in the case, the site comprises about 588.5 acres of panchayat land — including around 500 acres of Aravali forest — and 88.5 acres containing the former Bharat Yatra Kendra’s buildings and other assets.NGT had earlier issued notices in the matter after observing that the plea raised substantial questions relating to compliance with environmental laws.The bench also took note of geo-tagged photographs submitted by the petitioner, who has alleged that they show structures and constructions within the forest area.It directed Haryana govt to file a point-wise response to each of the constructions reflected in the photographs.
