BHUBANESWAR: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to Wonderla Holidays Limited in connection with allegations of forest land encroachment and violations of environmental regulations linked to its amusement park project in Odisha.
The tribunal has also served notices to several government departments and officials, including the Chief Secretary of Odisha, seeking responses to the allegations raised in the matter.
As part of the proceedings, the NGT has directed the constitution of a joint committee to investigate the claims and submit a detailed report on the factual position and compliance status of the project.
According to the allegations before the tribunal, the amusement park project acquired forest land without obtaining the required statutory approvals and carried out construction activities on the land in violation of applicable environmental and forest regulations.
The project is also accused of proceeding without securing mandatory environmental clearances and groundwater extraction permissions from the concerned authorities.
The joint committee will examine the allegations, assess compliance with environmental laws and verify whether the required approvals were obtained before the commencement of project activities. The findings of the committee are expected to assist the tribunal in further adjudication of the case.
The matter is currently under consideration before the NGT, and the tribunal’s notice does not constitute a finding of guilt. The investigation and subsequent proceedings will determine whether any violations occurred and what remedial measures, if any, may be required.
-OdishaAge
