Cuttack, May 18:The dispute over use of plastic in and around the Gupteswar cave Temple in Koraput region has intensified in the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

While the State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has claimed that it has directed the Koraput collector to issue instruction to the concerned gram panchayat to enforce the plastic management rule, NGT has ordered for personal appearance of the chairman and member secretary (same person) of OSPCB.

OSPCB had stated in its compliance report that since Gupteswar Temple comes within the limit of Boiparaguda Panchayat Samity in Koraput district, this Gram Panchayat is the authority to implement the provisions of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. The union ministry of environment forest and climate change had notified the new Rule, 2016 with effect from March 18, 2016 in place of Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011.

While giving the direction on December 21 last year, NGT had emphasized that "the area is ecologically sensitive and unregulated human activity is likely to impact the pristine environment of Gupteswar cave temple. Therefore, in order to prevent the area from further environmental deterioration our approach must be based on precautionary principle".<>