States » EastPosted at: Sep 30 2026 2:05PM


CAG flags irregular sale, mutation and construction on land within Odisha wildlife sanctuaries

Bhubaneswar, Sep 30 (UNI) The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has flagged large-scale irregularities in the sale, mutation, conversion and utilisation of land falling within the Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary (BKWLS) and eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) of Odisha, saying such violations defeated the statutory objective of protecting wildlife and the biological integrity of protected areas.
The observations are contained in the CAG’s compliance audit report for the period ended March 2024, which was tabled in the Odisha Legislative Assembly on September 28.
Audit scrutiny found that 13.65 acres of land in Chhaitana village, falling within the BKWLS area, were sold in violation of provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act and instructions issued by the authorities.
The Puri-Konark Development Authority had booked unauthorised construction cases in 2022-23 for construction within the sanctuary area and issued notices directing that construction activities be stopped. However, the audit found that construction had continued as of November 2024.
Similarly, 6.80 acres in Chhaitana village were recorded in the name of Indira Petroleum Limited. Although the plot fell within the BKWLS area, the Tahasildar converted its land use to Gharabari.
During the joint physical inspection on November 6, 2024, the original Plot was found enclosed by a compound wall and divided into sub-plots through demarcation pillars and moorum roads. A labour shed and site office had also been constructed, while two buildings were under construction.
The audit said the sale transactions involving 13.65 acres of land within the sanctuary area were allowed in contravention of statutory provisions and instructions issued by the Collector, Puri. The Sub-Registrar, Gop, permitted the sale transactions, while the Tahasildar, Gop, corrected the RoRs through mutation proceedings.
The Tahasildar also subsequently changed the land use of land within the sanctuary area for residential and commercial purposes, the report said.
According to the audit, such actions defeated the very purpose of constituting the wildlife sanctuary for the protection, propagation, development and research of wildlife.
The CAG also highlighted irregularities in the utilisation of land falling within the ESZs of the BKWLS and Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary (CDWLS).
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had notified the BKWLS and CDWLS as ESZs in September 2016 and May 2017 respectively. The notifications prohibit or restrict specified activities in the notified areas, including new construction, except for limited domestic requirements of local residents, as well as new solid-waste disposal and waste treatment or processing facilities.
In one case, 17.75 acres of land in Balukhanda village under Puri Tahasil, recorded in the name of Crackers India Infrastructure Limited (CIIL), were sold to the Swami Narayan Mandir Trust (SNMT).
CIIL sold 16.15 acres to SNMT on January 4, 2018. Although the land fell within the BKWLS ESZ, the Tahasildar, Puri, allowed mutation of the 16.15 acres in favour of SNMT on August 21, 2024 and corrected the RoR in September 2024.
A joint physical inspection on November 19, 2024 found the entire 17.75 acres covered by a boundary wall, with permanent and temporary structures, paver-block roads, a temple, parking area and security chamber. Further construction of the Swaminarayan Temple was also underway.
The audit observed that the mutation was allowed despite instructions issued at the ESZ monitoring meeting in March 2018. It said the subsequent utilisation of the land defeated the objective of the ESZ notification to protect the environment and minimise the adverse impact of human activities on protected areas.
The audit also found irregularities in the construction of a modern fish market and waste treatment plant within the BKWLS ESZ.
The ESZ Monitoring Committee permitted construction of the fish market in September 2020, subject to the condition that no solid or liquid waste would be disposed of within the ESZ.
Audit, however, pointed out that the ESZ notification itself prohibited solid-waste disposal sites and waste treatment or processing facilities within the ESZ.A joint physical inspection on November 22, 2024 found that both the fish market and waste treatment plant had been constructed on the five-acre plot, despite pending delivery of advance possession and sanction of alienation.
The CAG, therefore, concluded that the construction of the fish market and waste treatment plant violated the prohibitions contained in the ESZ notification.
The audit further flagged the leasing of 50.630 acres in Kumarbasta village under Khordha Tahasil for establishment of industries and allied activities.
The Collector, Khordha, sanctioned the lease in favour of IDCO in September 2021. However, audit noted that IDCO had allotted the land to M/s Wonderla Holidays even before the Collector sanctioned the lease.Of the leased land, 20.500 acres fell within the ESZ of Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary.
During the ESZ Monitoring Committee meeting held on July 15, 2021 to consider permission for the proposed Wonderla Amusement Park, an expert member suggested enrichment of existing vegetation on one of the plots. A representative of the Wildlife Trust of India also raised concerns over exploitation of groundwater for the project.
IDCO had assured the committee that water would be supplied to the park through a pipeline from the Mahanadi. The committee considered the project a tourism project rather than an industrial project and recommended that it could proceed subject to stipulated conditions, including prior environmental clearance, wildlife clearance and consent from the Odisha State Pollution Control Board.
Audit found that these conditions were not ensured before sanctioning the lease.
It also noted that the recommendation for enrichment of vegetation was not followed and a large number of existing trees were cut for establishment of the park.
Satellite imagery examined through Odisha 4K GEO services showed permanent, multi-storeyed structures on land falling within the ESZ.
The audit further noted that the amusement park provided land and water rides, restaurants, living rooms, parking facilities and locker facilities, among others, and observed that the land was being used for commercial purposes, including hotel and restaurant-related activities, contrary to ESZ stipulations.
The report also pointed out that the restriction under the ESZ notification allowed extraction of surface and groundwater only for bona fide agricultural use and domestic consumption of the occupier. The assurance given by IDCO regarding supply of water from the Mahanadi was also not ensured.
The CAG concluded that leasing land within the CDWLS ESZ for establishment of the Wonderla amusement park was in contravention of the ESZ notification and adversely affected the environmental and biological integrity of the area.
The CAG report stressed that effective monitoring and enforcement were essential to prevent unauthorised land use and to safeguard environmentally sensitive areas and wildlife sanctuaries in Odisha.
There were cases of wilful non- adherence to extant Statutory provision regarding use of forest land, agricultural land, exploitation of ground water resources, use of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes etc., where authorities responsible need to be held accountable,the CAG noted.
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Tags: #CAG flags irregular sale# mutation and construction on land within Odisha wildlife sanctuaries
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