Jodhpur, Aug. 23 -- The National Green Tribunal's (NGT) Central Zone Bench has taken cognisance of allegations that around 500 bighas inside the Desert National Park (DNP) in Jaisalmer's Fatehgarh tehsil have been illegally occupied and fenced, and has ordered a joint committee inquiry with directions to act against any encroachments found. A bench consisting of Judicial Member justice Sheo Kumar Singh and Expert member Dr. Afroz Ahmad passed the order on Wednesday while hearing an Original Application filed by an applicant identified as Surab, represented by advocate Ujjwal Sharma, concerning alleged illegal occupation within the protected DNP area in Gram Panchayat Tejrawa. According to the application, encroachers have erected electric fencing, installed "Jhatka Machines," cut vegetation, blocked traditional pathways and undertaken agricultural activities-causing habitat loss, soil erosion and biodiversity decline. The applicant cited violations of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, and constitutional mandates under Articles 21, 48 and 51A(g). The Tribunal issued notice returnable in four weeks and directed the respondents to file their replies within six weeks through the e-filing portal. It constituted a three-member Joint Committee, which included one representative each from the state principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), the secretary (environment) and the State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB), naming the RSPCB as the nodal agency for coordination and logistics. The committee has been asked to visit the site and submit a factual and action-taken report within six weeks. The bench directed: "The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest is directed that in case the encroachments are found in the National Park Area the necessary actions including removal of illegal encroachments must be taken according to rules." The bench listed the matter for further hearing on October 17, 2025....