The National Green Tribunal (NGT) took Suo Motu cognizance of the matter relating to the forest fires in Tadvai region of Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary in Mulugu and Ambrad Tiger Reserve (Telangana).
The Petition is registered suo-moto on the basis of the news item dated 19.03.2024.
As per the article, the fires in Eturnagaram sanctuary have been raging, posing a serious risk to wildlife across Tadvai, Lingala, Medaram, Pedda Venkatapur and Shapally.
The article quotes that on any given day the state sees an average 100-120 fire spots.
The news item alleges that the fire season usually starts from March and continues till June.
It states that those who come for fishing in the river start fires while cooking food. Even local tribes such as Chenchus collecting mahua flowers for making country liquor or medicinal purposes burn trees to make it easy to collect flowers the next day. Sometimes the fire spirals out of control and becomes difficult to tame.
The above news item indicated the Bench violation of Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
The news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of the environmental norms and implementation of the provisions of scheduled enactment.
“Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter in suo-motu exercise of power has been recognized by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of “Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors.” reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.”
Hence, the Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Dr. Afroz Ahmad impleaded the following as respondents in the matter:
(i) Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) & Hoff, Telangana.
(ii) Chief Wildlife Warden, Telangana.
(iii) Collector & District Magistrate, Mulugu.
(iv) Collector & District Magistrate, Nalgonda.
The Bench issued notice to the Respondents.
Since the matter relates to the Southern Zonal Bench, Chennai , therefore, the Bench transferred the matter to the Southern Zonal Bench , for appropriate further action. Office is directed by the NGT to transfer the original record to the Southern Zonal Bench and the matter is listed on 25.07.2024.