SC Seeks Centre, Odisha Replies On Plea Against Illegal Activities In Satkosia Tiger Reserve

The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notices to the Centre, Odisha government, Central Empowered Committee, and others over a plea challenging provisional clearances for tourism and construction activities inside and around the ecologically fragile Satkosia Tiger Reserve.

Filed by advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, the petition alleges that authorities granted provisional No Objection Certificates (NOCs) illegally, bypassing mandatory approvals under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and forest conservation laws.

The plea flags projects such as a high-level bridge over the Mahanadi River and commercial resorts, all allegedly sanctioned without clearances from the Chief Wildlife Warden or National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

The Satkosia reserve, spread over 1,136 sq. km, is home to endangered species like the Asian Elephant, Gharial, and Mugger crocodile. It was notified as a tiger reserve in 2007 and later recognised as a Ramsar wetland site.

The petition highlights that the state’s draft Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) proposal controversially designates “zero” buffer areas around parts of the reserve, especially near the Satkosia Gorge — a move that violates NTCA’s 2018 guidelines mandating at least a 1-km buffer zone.

Bansal argued that Odisha’s approach signals a shift from conservation to commercialisation, defying NTCA’s 2012 directives and the environment ministry’s 2021 eco-tourism policy, which prohibits permanent structures in protected areas.

Environmentalists warn that unchecked tourism infrastructure threatens animal migration corridors and could damage the riverine ecosystem, putting Satkosia’s Ramsar status at risk.

The court has listed the matter for further hearing after receiving responses from all concerned authorities.

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