NGT Issues Notice Over Eco Retreat at Bhitarkanika Sanctuary

National Green Tribunal (NGT) had issued a notice to both central and state governments related to tourism activities held in the vicinity of the Bhitarkanika National Park and its sanctuaries for the ‘Eco Retreat’ program arranged by the tourism department of the state of Odisha for the third successive year which commences from 1st of December and closes in February every year.

Petition Challenges Legality of Eco Retreat Activities

Activist Alay Samantaray, a resident of Marsaghai in Kendrapada district, had filed a petition before the NGT, seeking an injunction against the program, declaring it illegal, and ordering the site of the Eco Retreat to be restored to its original, pristine form. Representing Samantaray, Sankar Prasad Pani and Ashutosh Padhy raised the issue of the legality of tourism activities in the sensitive ecological zone of Bhitarkanika, which is a critical nesting ground for the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles.

Ecological Sensitivity of Bhitarkanika Sanctuary Under Scrutiny

East zone bench of the NGT by Justice B Amit Sthalekar and Dr Arun Kumar Verma commented, “Sanctuary area has extreme ecological sensitivity” and hence more investigation was sought. Responses are awaited from all government departments which include the Union Ministry of Forest, Environment, and Climate Change, the Odisha Coastal Zone Management Authority, as well as authorities in Kendrapada. The bench scheduled the next hearing on March 18 to consider the matter, along with responses from the concerned agencies.

Environmental Concerns Raised by Petitioner

The petition lists several grievances regarding the environmental impact caused by the Eco Retreat. The area has been leveled by the laying of morrum on the beach for making roads and was compacted with heavy vehicles, and even transformers and electric poles were erected. The petition also mentions that concrete structures have been constructed.

The Eco Retreat site accommodates 25 luxury tents and among its other activities, motorized water sports, recreational events, a beach bar and restaurant, and loud music. As the petition explains, all these activities are responsible for the accumulation of garbage, excessive lighting, and great anthropogenic pressure on the beach, which can lead to irreversible impacts on the local wildlife, such as sea turtles. According to the petitioner, these actions go against the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019.

Previous Complaints Ignored by Authorities

Samantaray complained in November 2024 with the regional office of the ministry at Bhubaneswar. Since the regional office of the ministry sent a reminder seeking clarification from the state government in this regard, the tourism department conducted the Eco Retreat without any proper follow-up legal steps.