Jaipur: National Green Tribunal‘s (NGT) central zone bench at Bhopal has restrained further construction of a red category industrial unit, allegedly established within the buffer zone of Bada Magra–Gangarar Reserved Forest in Chittorgarh district.The directions were passed while hearing an application filed by Suresh Rawat and affected villagers, who alleged that M/s Ishan Copper Industries was being developed in violation of statutory safeguards and buffer zone norms applicable to protected forest areas.The applicants stated that heavy construction machinery and civil works were carried out in proximity to the reserved forest.An official familiar with the development said, “A joint committee comprising officials from the district collector’s office and the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) submitted an inspection report before the tribunal. The report said the industrial unit was situated 362 metres from the reserved forest boundary, whereas red category industries are required to maintain a minimum distance of 500 metres from reserved forests under a Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) notification dated Jan 29, 2025. The committee also recorded that unauthorised construction was taking place within the prohibited area.”The NGT bench comprising Justice Sheo Kumar Singh, Judicial Member, and Ishwar Singh, Expert Member, observed that allowing construction to continue would create a fait accompli and undermine environmental protections. The tribunal directed RSPCB and Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO) to ensure no further construction within the prohibited zone and to initiate action in the event of violations.The tribunal directed RSPCB to file an action taken report within 3 weeks. “The matter is listed for further hearing on March 30, when compliance and regulatory action will be reviewed by the tribunal,” said the applicant.
