Guwahati, Feb. 4 -- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and the Assam government for their failure to submit affidavits regarding alleged encroachment on three crucial reserve forests in the state: the Charduar Reserve Forest, Balipara Reserve Forest, and Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary.

The NGT's concern follows a year-long investigation into the encroachment issue. Despite a directive issued in August 2024, both the MoEF&CC and the Assam Chief Secretary have failed to comply with the tribunal's orders, prompting Justices B. Amit Sthalekar and Dr. Arun Kumar Verma to voice their displeasure on January 23.

The case stems from an app...