NGT Stops ₹16 Crore Ecotourism Project At Odisha’s Highest Peak Deomali Over Forest Law Violations

Odisha’s highest peak, Deomali, is 5,486 feet above sea level and is becoming a popular destination for nature lovers and adventurers. It is located in the picturesque Eastern Ghats. However, in a recent development, all ecotourism operations at this charming spot in the Koraput district have stopped. The decision didn’t stem from poor weather or a lack of visitors but from concern about forest conservation.

NGT Pulls The Brakes On Deomali Ecotourism

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), India’s green protector, has stepped in to put a halt to the ecotourism efforts in Deomali. The tribunal recently issued an order that puts a complete stop to ecotourism infrastructure activities until proper clearances are obtained under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.

According to the NGT’s eastern zonal bench, ten cottages, dormitories, dining halls, and other constructions were built without mandatory forest clearance. The Odisha government now has three months to either get the necessary permissions or demolish the structures and return the land to its original, untouched state, according to the Hindustan Times report.

Deomali is a mountaintop tableland with stunning views, biodiversity, and cool weather. It’s the kind of place that invites trekkers, photographers, and those looking to escape the heat. Interestingly, the area is part of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, a Union government initiative to boost tourism infrastructure. According to Hindustan Times, a hefty ₹16 crore has been sanctioned for the integrated development of the area, with another ₹4.5 crore proposed for an ecotourism complex. But none of that can move forward without legal green lights.

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Deomali Peak Awaits Forest Clearance Approval

The Wildlife Society of Orissa (WSO), a non-profit focused on conservation, filed a petition with the NGT against building these tourist facilities in a forest-like area without proper clearance, which goes against the principles of sustainable development.

According to Hindustan Times, WSO pointed out that even if the land isn’t a notified forest (as the state claims), any non-forest activity still requires prior approval under the Forest Conservation Act. The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Koraput argued that the ecotourism project site doesn’t fall under any notified forest or recorded forest land. NGT states that if the land had nothing to do with forests, it raised the question of why village-level Van Surakhya Samiti (Forest Protection Committees) were established. 

NGT has directed the state to get proper clearance under the Forest Conservation Act within three months. If not, all structures must be removed and the land restored to its natural form. The state is also directed to preserve and maintain a 1.5 to 2-hectare pine plantation in the area.

For now, plans for expanding tourism at Deomali are on pause. 

Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons