Assam: NGT to Hear the Case Involving Cutting Down of 2,000 Trees for Highway Project
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The NGT (National Green Tribunal) has taken suo motu cognisance of the allegations concerning "the felling of approximately 2,000 trees for a road expansion project between Guwahati and Goalpara in Assam."
The action by the NGT follows an October 27 report by Northeast Now.
In the report, globally acclaimed actor Adil Hussain over the NHAI (National Highway Authority of India) and Assam government's plans to remove around 2,000 trees to build a four-lane highway in lower Assam.
Hussain had reportedly urged the authorities to reconsider their plans.
"First-world countries don't need to cut down trees to achieve development. They take care of their trees, water bodies, and the environment. In places like Holland, the authorities are accountable to the public if they cut down a tree for any reason," said Hussain.
Around four weeks after the publication of the report and amid growing noises criticising the cutting down of trees for the four-lane highway, the NGT issued directions to the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and the Assam government on November 21.
The case is set to be heard by the Eastern Zone Bench of the NGT on January 10 next year.
The action was taken based on an Original Application (OA). In the hearing, the NHAI clarified that the NHIDCL is managing the project.
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