The Eastern Zone bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Kolkata, has ordered status quo on the proposed construction of a hotel and resort project within the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district.
The bench, comprising Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member Ishwar Singh, directed IDCO, IPICOL/DIPA and Hotel Sonar Bangla to halt all construction and related activities on the identified land parcel at Laxmiposi in Shamakhunta tehsil until further orders.
During the hearing, the Odisha chief secretary and the divisional forest officer (DFO), Baripada, informed the Tribunal that they had no objection to the status quo order. The matter concerns a proposed hospitality project spread across nearly 100 acres of ecologically sensitive forest and hilly terrain located within the tiger reserve’s ESZ.
According to the applicant, the area comprises dense sal forests and serves as a crucial wildlife corridor connected to the tiger reserve. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for July 31.
