Bhubaneswar, Nov. 12 -- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognizance of the alleged encroachment of 100 acres of forest land in the Motu area of Malkangiri district.

The petition is registered suo-motu on the basis of a media report published on 30.09.2024.

NGT has also issued notices to Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Forest Department and Malkangiri district Collector by putting the question mark on how roads, buildings, wire fencing and other infrastructure were constructed by funding it through various government schemes, including the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA).

The respondents have been asked to file their response/reply by way of affidavit before the Eastern ...