Guwahati: Senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer M.K. Yadava (1989 bath) is once again under scrutiny after fresh allegations emerged of unauthorized construction activities inside protected reserve forests in Assam.
Two new Assam Police commando battalion camps have allegedly been built without mandatory clearances from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) – a move that could further intensify ongoing legal action.
New Constructions in Daldali and Pabhoi Reserve Forests
Sources familiar with the developments confirmed that the 3rd Commando Battalion camp was constructed within Daldali Reserve Forest in Karbi Anglong district, while the 5th Battalion camp was built inside Pabhoi Reserve Forest in Biswanath district – both projects allegedly undertaken without Forest (Conservation) Act clearance.
Satellite images reportedly reviewed by Northeast Now appear to show large-scale, multi-story constructions deep inside these ecologically sensitive zones.
Under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, prior approval from the central government is mandatory before undertaking any construction activity in reserve forests.
Role of MK Yadava Under the Scanner Again
At the heart of the controversy is MK Yadava, then Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force (HoFF) in Assam. Sources allege that he personally cleared the two newly-reported construction projects without central approval — a repeat of his earlier actions that had already drawn the ire of both the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the MoEF&CC.
Yadava had previously sanctioned the establishment of commando camps at Geleki Reserve Forest (Sivasagar) and Inner Line Reserve Forest (Hailakandi) without required permissions. While the Damchera case (Inner Line) was closed by the NGT after post-facto approval was obtained, the Geleki case remains pending before the Kolkata bench of the NGT.
MoEF&CC’s Stern Response: Legal Action Ordered
In July 2025, the MoEF&CC issued legal action directives against Yadava, calling his actions “gross violations” of the Forest Conservation Act.
Two official letters, dated July 2025 and issued by Pee Lee Ete, Deputy Inspector General of Forests (Central), revealed that the Shillong Regional Office found evidence of “large-scale, permanent construction” during site inspections in both the Geleki and Inner Line Reserve Forests.
A special committee constituted by the NGT as well as internal investigations by the MoEF&CC confirmed that the constructions were executed without prior clearance, directly violating forest conservation laws.
Repeated Violations Raise Serious Governance Questions
This is now the third time that MK Yadava’s name has surfaced in connection with forest land encroachments for police infrastructure. Legal experts and environmentalists have expressed concerns about a pattern of administrative overreach, suggesting that bypassing legal processes could set a dangerous precedent for forest governance across India.
Despite multiple attempts by media outlets, MK Yadava has remained unavailable for comment on these latest allegations.
Ongoing Investigations and Legal Action
With the Geleki case still pending before the NGT and new allegations surfacing, both judicial and environmental scrutiny on Assam’s forest department is expected to escalate. Legal experts say the MoEF&CC may consider stronger disciplinary action against Yadava, depending on the outcome of these probes.
