Guwahati: The Eastern Zonal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu notice of alleged illegal road construction in environmentally sensitive catchment areas of Arunachal Pradesh’s Papum Pare district.
The action follows a news article published last year raising environmental concerns.
The bench, consisting of Judicial Member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Expert Member Afroz Ahmad, reviewed the report dated April 22, which claimed that road construction between Ganga-Taipu and Ganga-Tago stretches was being carried out without proper environmental safeguards.
Considering the seriousness, the tribunal noted the necessity of involving the Arunachal Pradesh government for effective resolution.
The government is represented by the Principal Secretary of the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department, and the Public Works Department through its Secretary and Commissioner. Both officials have now been added as Respondents No. 5 and 6.
The NGT directed all parties involved to submit their replies within one month.
S.D. Loda and Techi Tat had applied to be included as co-applicants. The tribunal clarified that, because the case was initiated suo motu, they could not be granted co-applicant status.
However, it allowed them to assist by submitting relevant documents and providing oral inputs during hearings. The next hearing is scheduled for March 27.
The original news report had raised alarms about potential ecological risks in the region, including landslides, disruption of natural water courses, and long-term environmental damage if the road project continues without statutory approvals.
Observers stressed that hill districts like Papum Pare must follow environmental regulations to prevent damage from unchecked development.