ORDER

1. Taking suo-moto cognizance on a letter petition received on 13.02.2024 from Ajit Kumar Gupta, Tribunal has registered this Original Application (hereinafter referred to as ‘O.A’) under Section 14 and 15 of National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 (hereinafter referred to as ‘NGT Act, 2010’).

2. Complainant has stated that Dongia water body, Pipri, Sonebhadra is part of ‘Reserve Forest’ and a dense forest wherein lives several wild animals, including crocodiles. In the said Reserve Forest area, Digvijay Pratap Singh, Chairman, Nagar Panchayat, Pipri, in collusion with some others, has illegally cut trees and encroached on certain land of Reserve Forest and raised construction of a Gaushala. He has also killed certain wild animals like deer and peacock. Photographs of dead animals have been appended to complaint.

3. Tribunal took cognizance of the matter on 10.05.2024. Being satisfied that prima facie a substantial question relating to environment has arisen out of implementation of enactments specified in schedule 1 to NGT Act, 2010, following were impleaded as respondents:

(1) State of Uttar Pradesh through Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh,

(2) Principal Secretary, Irrigat