This Article is From Aug 25, 2016

Green Court Clears Path For Assam Elephants, Orders Wall To Be Torn Down

Green Court Clears Path For Assam Elephants, Orders Wall To Be Torn Down

In Assam's Kaziranga, the wall was a major obstacle for elephants as it was on their migration route.

New Delhi: A 2.2 km long wall around a golf course in Assam's Kaziranga is illegal and should be brought down within one month, the National Green Tribunal or NGT ruled on Wednesday. The wall was erected by the Numaligarh refinery around the golf course built for its officials.

The structure had become a major obstacle for elephants as it was on their migration route. Several incidents had been reported where elephants injured themselves or died trying to find a way through the thick wall which also has barbed wire.

Coming down heavily on the refinery (a joint venture between Bharat Petroleum, Oil India and Assam government), the green court also declared as illegal the proposed township that was to be constructed by the refinery in the area as it comes within the no-development zone around the Kaziranga National Park.
 
Numaligarh Refinery Limited has also been fined Rs 25 lakh for damage to the environment including cutting of trees and leveling of a hillside. The money will be used for restoration.

The NGT, which was hearing a petition by environment activist and Assam resident Rohit Choudhary on these violations, had earlier this month, restrained the Numaligarh refinery from carrying on any construction activity in the no-development zone in the Kaziranga national park reserve forest range.

The NGT had also asked the refinery to produce all records including any clearance they may have got from the wildlife board given to the refinery. The local forest department has been at logger heads with the project for failing to get proper environment clearances.
.