Guwahati: In a landmark decision, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to deposit ?10.9 crore with the Department of Social Forestry as compensation for the felling of trees during the expansion of the Khed to Sinnar National Highway in Maharashtra.
The order also said that after collecting the compensation amount, the Social Forestry Department should plant trees on both sides of the highway.
The authority is expected to fund Rs 10 crore 90 lakh for Pune district, Rs 8 crore 96 lakh for Nagar district (Sangamner) and Rs 3 crore 54 lakh for Nashik district.
The order comes after a petition filed by social activist Ganesh Borhade in 2020, highlighting the unauthorized felling of over 2,000 trees during the project in 2014.
It was expected to plant new trees in exchange for these trees, but it was not implemented by the authority till 2019.
The NGT bench, comprising Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and member Dr Vijay Kulkarni, acknowledged the environmental damage caused by the deforestation and ruled that the compensation amount should be used for extensive tree plantation activities on both sides of the highway.
Notably, the initial requirement for the NHAI was to plant five times the number of trees cut down, including native species like peepal, bayan, wad, acacia, raiwal, badam, bor, etc. However, the NGT observed that this compensatory plantation was not carried out as per expectations.
“This order serves as a reminder that environmental protection is paramount, even in the face of development projects,” said Borhade, expressing satisfaction with the NGT’s decision.
Borhade further said, “It ensures justice for the trees that were lost and paves the way for future efforts to restore the ecological balance in the region.”
The NGT has directed the NHAI to deposit the compensation amount within a specified time frame. Additionally, interest will be accrued on any delayed payments. The Social Forestry Department will be responsible for utilizing the funds for plantation activities and ensuring the survival of the newly planted trees for five years.