National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd allegedly violates environment laws; Probe demanded

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: The Arunachal Pradesh unit of the North East Human Rights Organization (NEHRO) has alleged violation of the environmental laws by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) while constructing the two-lane Hunli-Anini road in Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh.

In a complaint letter to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), the NEHRO alleged that the NHIDCL, “in connivance with some unscrupulous officials of the Forest department of that area”, was executing the road project without taking care of the environmental issues and in blatant violation of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.

The organisation claimed that the muck generated during the road construction was being dumped haphazardly, which it said resulted in “large-scale devastation of flora and fauna, including aquatic life.” “It is appalling that the officials of the Forest Department are allowing unabated dumping of muck for their selfish motives instead of ensuring proper enforcement of the Forest Conversation Act to protect the environment,” the NEHRO said.

It further alleged that the authority concerned neither published any information regarding granting of forest clearance for the project in widely circulated newspapers nor had it made the public aware of the new road alignment.

The organization urged the PCCF to conduct an inquiry into the alleged non-compliance with the environmental laws by the road construction company and also assess the extent of the damages caused to the forests and surrounding environment at the project site.

No officials of the NHIDCL could be contacted for comment.

Also read: Arunachal news