JODHPUR, May 19 -- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has restrained authorities from cutting or damaging trees at the over 100-year-old Kota Zoo premises in Rajasthan and directed them to identify an alternative site for the proposed sports complex, holding that the forest land cannot be diverted without due permission under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The order was passed on May 17 by the Central Zone Bench of the NGT at Bhopal comprising Judicial Member Justice Sheo Kumar Singh and Expert Member Dr. Afroz Ahmad while allowing an application filed by one Babu Lal Jajoo against the State of Rajasthan and others. The application challenged a proposal by the Kota Development Authority (KDA) to use the Kota Zoo land for development of a sports complex. According to the plea, the zoo, established in 1905, contains several old trees and provides habitat to various bird species and wildlife. The Tribunal noted that the zoo land was recorded as forest land and observed that the area housed several indigenous trees aged between 50 and 100 years, along with protected species of birds and animals. The Tribunal said: "The present structure which is more than 100 years old and within the possession of the Forest Department/forest land cannot be diverted without due permission from the Competent Authority in accordance with the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980." It further observed that the actions of the respondents were "highly against the environmental rules and against the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980." Restraining the respondents, the bench directed the respondents "to find out an alternate site for development of sports complex."HTC...