BARIPADA: Fresh affidavits filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Saturday revealed the hospitality group which had evinced interest to set up a hotel and resort project on nearly 100 acre of land at Laxmiposi village in Mayurbhanj district has dropped the plan.
The proposed site falls within the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of the Similipal Tiger Reserve. In its affidavit, the hotel group stated that it had initially explored the possibility of setting up a hospitality project in the area and undertaken preliminary steps, including a site inspection by its officials. However, after assessing the site, it decided not to proceed with the project and currently has no intention, connection or interest in establishing any hotel or resort on the disputed land. It has also sought deletion of its name from the proceedings.
Meanwhile, the affidavit filed by the state government and the divisional forest officer of Baripada states that the forest department had no knowledge of, did not participate in, and was never consulted regarding any site visits conducted by DIPA, IPICOL or the hotel. It further clarified that no forest or environmental clearance has been granted for any commercial activity on the land.
Earlier, the eastern zone bench of NGT had passed an interim status quo order restraining IDCO, IPICOL, DIPA and the hotel from undertaking any construction or related activity on the disputed land. The Tribunal also directed the district magistrate and SP of Mayurbhanj to ensure that no construction is carried out until further orders.
Appearing for the applicant, advocate Akash Sharma argued that the respondents’ own affidavits establish that a commercial project had indeed been explored, and that the Tribunal’s preventive intervention was necessary to protect the ecologically sensitive Similipal landscape.