Jaipur: The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Central Zone Bench, Bhopal, directed the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) to personally monitor action in the alleged encroachment of forest land by the Jaipur ropeway project, observing that despite the matter remaining pending for over a year, effective action had not been taken.Hearing a suo motu case based on a TOI report titled “Illegal commercial activities found at ropeway station on forest land in Jaipur”, the tribunal observed that the land allotted to the project proponent differed from the land on which the ropeway infrastructure was constructed, prima facie indicating encroachment on reserved forest land. It also noted that a joint committee had confirmed violations earlier, but corrective action was yet to be effectively implemented.Referring to forest department findings and inspection reports, the bench noted 15 violations, including operation of restaurants, fish spas and body massage parlours without permission, use of open flames for cooking, installation of halogen lights, improper disposal of plastic waste and operation of a zipline cycle ride inside the forest without mandatory environmental and safety clearances.The forest department’s report also stated that the ropeway’s upper station, lower station and corridor were not constructed on the 0.8735 hectares of forest land officially diverted for the project, but at separate locations within reserved forest land, with survey coordinates differing from those approved.The tribunal noted that the PCCF had initiated disciplinary proceedings against delinquent officials. It directed the PCCF to personally oversee the matter, take action against erring officials, protect forest land beyond the sanctioned project area, recover possession of encroached land and file an action taken report through an affidavit within two weeks. The matter is listed for hearing on Aug 31.Meanwhile, documents accessed by TOI show that after the project proponent sought release of seized items and permission to reopen sealed premises, senior forest officials forwarded the request to field officers for necessary action. However, the assistant conservator of forests (Wildlife) recorded that the seized property could not legally be released nor the premises reopened without orders from the competent court, as the matter is pending before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Jaipur, and the NGT.The officer warned that any such action without judicial approval would be illegal, could encourage forest offences, demoralise field staff and send a negative message to the public.
