Gauhati High Court asked State Government to submit action-taken report

Union ministry directed to file an affidavit on biodiversity protection

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court has asked the State Government to submit an action-taken report based on the recommendations of Justice (Retired) BP Katakey and further directed the Central Government to file an affidavit as to whether it has "developed any strategies, plans, programmes etc., for conservation, promotion and sustainable use of biological diversity as mandated by Section 36 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, positively by the next date of listing, failing which the Secretary/Joint Secretary, Department of Environment and Forest, Government of India, shall be present in person before the court on the next date."

Moreover, the court has impleaded the National Biodiversity Authority and the State Biodiversity Board in the matter, which is based on several Public Interest Litigations (PILs) and Interlocutory Applications (IAs). It may be mentioned that the PILs and IAs mainly relate to endangering the biodiversity in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, especially areas in and around the Dehing Patkai National Park.

The High Court noted that the State Government had filed an affidavit as directed during the earlier hearing, but asked it also to submit an action taken report.

The court further observed: "During the course of argument, it has transpired that the National Biodiversity Authority, which is a statutory body created under Section 8 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and the State Biodiversity Board, which is constituted under Section 22 of the said Act, are necessary parties in these PILs. Accordingly, the National Biodiversity Authority and the State Biodiversity Board are impleaded as party/respondents in these PILs."

Hearing of the matter will resume on April 18.

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