Construction and land-use changes around the ecologically sensitive Dalma hills have come under scrutiny after former chief minister Arjun Munda warned that unchecked development could block elephant corridors and intensify human-elephant conflict. He called for a review of permissions, an investigation into alleged violations and action against unauthorised construction.
Speaking to the media, Munda said the Dalma hills were vital to elephant movement and that development in the area should not undermine the ecological balance. He alleged that high-rise buildings and the commercial conversion of agricultural land were changing the character of areas around the hills and obstructing natural routes used by elephants.
The concerns place construction activity around Dalma within a wider conflict between expanding urban development and the movement needs of wildlife. The report does not specify the number of buildings involved, the extent of land converted or the precise locations of the alleged unauthorised projects. It also does not identify any construction company or developer.
Munda specifically questioned land-use changes in scheduled areas including Dobo and Kapali. He said approvals in these areas must comply with the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act and the constitutional protections associated with the Fifth Schedule. His remarks seek scrutiny not only of new construction but also of how agricultural land has been permitted to move into commercial or built-up use.
The Chotanagpur Tenancy Act and Fifth Schedule references make the issue one of governance as well as environmental protection. Any review of the permissions would need to establish which authorities approved the land-use changes, whether the relevant statutory requirements were followed and whether the construction affected routes used by elephants. The supplied report does not provide details of the approval files, planning permissions or agencies responsible for them.
Munda sought the cancellation of permissions that are found to be illegal and demanded action against unauthorised structures. These demands indicate that the dispute may involve both land-use conversion and building compliance. However, the report records his allegations and requests; it does not state that a government inquiry has already been ordered or that any permission has been cancelled.
The potential impact extends beyond individual construction sites. If development narrows or interrupts movement routes, residents and wildlife may face greater friction at the edges of expanding settlements. Munda’s warning links this risk directly to the pattern of construction around the Dalma hills, but the report does not provide recent figures on elephant movement, conflict incidents or the scale of urban expansion in the area.
No response from the relevant district administration, planning authority, forest department or developers is included in the report. Their positions would be necessary to establish the status of the permissions, the legal classification of the affected land and whether any construction has been formally found to violate environmental, tenancy or building regulations.
Munda has sought a review and probe into the alleged land-use changes, along with cancellation of illegal approvals and action against unauthorised construction. The next verifiable developments will be whether the authorities order an inquiry, publish details of the permissions under scrutiny or take action on the structures identified in the allegations.
