DEC 28, 2025 (IMP): As a “precautionary principle,” citing the alleged absence of forest or environmental clearance, the National Green Tribunal’s Eastern Zone Bench (Kolkata) has ordered an immediate halt to all construction activities related or linked to the controversial “Tiger Road” or Ring Road project until further orders or the next hearing scheduled for February 2, 2026, due to environmental concerns and alleged violations of statutory safeguards.
The NGT order also directed the Government of Manipur to issue appropriate instructions to all District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police of the six districts to ensure that no further construction is carried out. The tribunal, in its order, noted that the Chief Secretary, despite being given multiple opportunities, has yet to submit the required preliminary reports on the said road construction.
The petition was filed on August 20 by the Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), with its spokesperson Khuraijam Athouba as the petitioner, and the order was passed on December 23 by a bench comprising Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, Judicial Member, and Ishwar Singh, Expert Member.
According to the petition, the construction of the “Ring Road” across forest and hilly areas in the districts of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Noney, and Ukhrul in Manipur is pending full environmental and geological safety measures. It highlighted the need for the court to constitute a high-level committee of experts to inspect the project site, direct the submission of a detailed report, punish the violators, and preserve forest land.
Citing satellite imagery support, the petitioner highlighted that the concerned authorities, including the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, the Rural Engineering Department, and the Forest Department, have intimated that no official approval, no-objection certificate, or forest clearance has been issued for such construction.
