Bhubaneswar, Oct. 1 -- Land within a wildlife sanctuary was illegally divided into 156 plots and sold in violation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, while 41.65 acres inside Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) in Puri and Khordha were used for activities barred under ESZ notifications, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has found.
The findings emerged from a CAG compliance audit of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department's monitoring of land use, covering eight Collectorates and 24 Tehsils.
The audit found that 13.65 acres within a wildlife sanctuary were divided into 156 sub-plots and sold, disregarding statutory restrictions under the Wildlife (Protection) Act. In Puri and Khordha, another 41.65 acres falling within ESZs w...