The NGT’s eastern bench on April 2, 2026 directed the state of Odisha, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, among others, to submit responses to allegations of large-scale deforestation and encroachment linked to the construction and expansion of the Savitri Jindal Airport in Angul district, Odisha.
The airport, located at Niranjanpur and Badamahitala and owned and operated by Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL), is alleged to have involved illegal felling of trees and encroachment of government forest land.
The tribunal directed that notices, along with copies of the application and supporting documents, be issued to respondents, requiring them to file replies within two months.
According to the applicant, Phase I of the airport began in 2008, with Phase II expansion taking place between 2018 and 2021. The airport spans approximately 98 acres.
The land was historically a dense natural forest dominated by sal and other species, estimated to be over 100 years old, as per local accounts.
The applicant alleged that JSPL encroached on land classified as “Chota Jungle” in revenue records in Badamahitala village, Chhendipada tehsil, which falls under the definition of forest land protected by the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and the Orissa Forest Act, 1972.
It was further alleged that trees were cleared over an area exceeding 100 acres, including Chota Jungle land, without prior approval from competent authorities, in violation of Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and Section 27 of the Orissa Forest Act, 1972.
The application also stated that forest produce, including sal timber, was removed and transported without valid transit permits, violating the Orissa Timber and Other Forest Produce Transit Rules, 1980.
The occupation of Chota Jungle land was also alleged to constitute an offence under the Orissa Prevention of Land Encroachment Act, 1972.
A grievance report dated July 10, 2025 by the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Angul, acknowledged encroachment of Chota Jungle land by the airport and forwarded the matter to the Tahsildar, Chhendipada. The applicant said that despite repeated representations to authorities, no effective remedial or punitive action has been taken.