Jaipur, July 8 -- The Central Zone Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the Centre and other authorities on Tuesday over allegations that reserved forest land diverted for road construction in Jaipur is being used for purposes other than those approved under the Forest (Conservation) Act. The tribunal has also constituted a joint committee to inspect the site and submit a factual report within four weeks. The matter has been registered as Original Application No. 145/2026 (CZ). The tribunal observed that the plea raises a substantial question relating to the environment and directed the respondents to file their replies within four weeks. According to the application, 0.858 hectares of reserved forest land in Bindayaka and Chak Dhula villages was diverted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2009 for the construction of a 200-foot-wide road, subject to specific conditions. The applicant alleged that while the road width was later reduced to 160 feet, the remaining diverted forest land has not been used for the approved purpose and is instead being put to other uses, including alleged commercial activities, according to a release. The plea further alleged that the legal status of the diverted forest land was altered by recording it in the names of the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) and the Public Works Department (PWD) as "Gair Mumkin Sadak", despite the diversion order stipulating that the legal status of the forest land should remain unchanged. The applicant contended that the changes violate the conditions of forest clearance and the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. To verify the allegations, the tribunal constituted a joint committee comprising representatives of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change's Integrated Regional Office in Jaipur, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Rajasthan, and the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB). The committee has been directed to conduct a site inspection and submit a factual and action-taken report within four weeks, with the RSPCB acting as the nodal agency for coordination. In a connected interlocutory application, the applicant also alleged that construction activities outside the diverted forest land were continuing despite notices issued by the Regional Forest Officer. Taking note of the submission, the tribunal directed the Regional Forest Officer to personally examine the matter, ensure that only legally permitted activities are carried out, and restrain any construction beyond the permissions granted, the release said. The matter has been posted for further hearing on September 7, 2026....