Shimla, Jan 20
A 12-km road, including a 2.840-km segment within the Spiti Wildlife Sanctuary, was built without obtaining mandatory approvals under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, and the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The unauthorized construction was revealed in an affidavit submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) by Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), on January 13, 2025.
Disciplinary action has been initiated against six forest officials for negligence in preventing or reporting the violations. The officials include two Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs), two Range Forest Officers (RFOs) – one retired – and two forest guards. Notices have been issued to DFOs Hardev Singh Negi and Rajeev Kumar, RFOs Ramesh Chand and Dorje Namgyal, and forest guards Devender Sharma and Palvinder.
The violations pertain to the Gecha-to-Helipad section of the road, a 2.840-km stretch constructed by HPPWD without securing forest clearance. Despite an estimated ecological damage of ₹1.49 crore, no fines were imposed on HPPWD. Retrospective approvals are being sought by the forest department, exposing enforcement lapses. Retired RFO Dorje Namgyal was specifically criticized for endorsing a Site Inspection Report without flagging legal violations.
A sub-committee informed the NGT that forest clearance under the Forest Rights Act was granted for four road sections but not for the Gecha-to-Helipad stretch. This unauthorized construction in an ecologically sensitive zone highlights significant regulatory and enforcement shortcomings.
Now urgent steps are required to hold those responsible accountable, impose penalties, enhance oversight mechanisms, and rehabilitate the affected environment to mitigate the damage.
