Chhattisgarh HC Seeks Fresh Affidavit on Fund Use for Madkudweep Eco-Tourism Project

April 13, 2026 : The Chhattisgarh High Court has directed the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Mungeli, to file a fresh affidavit detailing the current status of fund allocation and utilisation for the Madkudweep eco-tourism project.

The direction was issued on April 8 by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal while hearing a suo motu public interest litigation.

The Court noted that although development work is ongoing, a portion of the sanctioned funds lapsed at the close of the 2025–26 financial year. As per the DFO’s affidavit, out of the total approved estimate of ₹74.58 lakh, ₹20 lakh was allocated for 2025–26. Of this, ₹16.34 lakh was utilised, while ₹3.66 lakh remained unspent and was returned after March 31, 2026.

The DFO further informed the Court that a request has been made to the Chief Conservator of Forests, Bilaspur Circle, to release the remaining ₹54.58 lakh along with the unutilised ₹3.66 lakh to facilitate completion of the project.

Madkudweep, a 24-hectare island on the Shivnath River in Mungeli district, situated around 25–40 km from Bilaspur, is being developed as an eco-tourism and cultural destination owing to its natural landscape, archaeological significance, and religious importance.