The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognisance of a complaint alleging extensive environmental violations, including illegal tree felling and unauthorized construction, by the religious organization Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB) in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district.
On Tuesday, the principal bench comprising Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi (judicial member) and Dr. Afroz Ahmad (expert member) constituted a joint committee to verify the facts and recommend remedial action.
Allegations of Large-Scale Environmental Damage
The Tribunal’s order was based on a letter petition sent by Seema Kumari, the pradhan of Ghaneta Gram Panchayat, and other local residents. The petition alleges that the RSSB has been illegally expanding its premises in the Paror-Ghaneta-Darang-Balla-Dhoran belt, causing significant ecological imbalance and breaching several central environmental laws.
Key allegations against the organization include:
- Widespread deforestation and illegal land acquisition.
- Unauthorized construction in floodplains.
- Destruction of biodiversity.
- Obstruction of natural streams, irrigation channels (kuhls), and access roads, which the complainants warn creates a serious flood threat and disrupts the livelihood of local farmers.
- Dumping of debris in Tahal Khad and diversion of natural water courses, supported by photographic and satellite evidence.
The applicants cite breaches of major environmental legislations, including the Water Act (1974), Forest Conservation Act (1980), Air Act (1981), Environment Protection Act (1986), and the Biological Diversity Act (2002).
Joint Committee Mandated to Investigate
Observing that the allegations raised “substantial questions relating to the environment,” the NGT bench ordered the constitution of a joint committee to investigate.
The committee will comprise representatives from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board (HPPCB), and the District Magistrate, Kangra.
HPPCB will serve as the nodal agency for coordination and compliance. The committee has been directed to:
- Meet within two weeks.
- Undertake site visits.
- Look into the grievances, associating both the applicants and a representative of the RSSB.
- Verify the factual position and take appropriate remedial action by following the due course of law.
The Tribunal has also impleaded the State of Himachal Pradesh, the Kangra District Magistrate, and the HPPCB as respondents, seeking their responses within two months. The committee has been given two months to submit its detailed report.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on December 18.