Society Demands Strict Enforcement of Green Highways Policy

24 Dec 2024 CW Team

The Aranya, Parisara Mathu Havamana Badalavane Sangha (Society for Forest, Environment and Climate Change) has called for the immediate implementation of the Green Highways Policy, 2015, to mitigate ecological damage caused by highway projects.

Benedict Fernandes, the society’s secretary, highlighted that over 30,000 km of highways have been widened in the last decade, leading to extensive tree felling. With 116,000 km of projects pending expansion, non-compliance with the policy risks irreversible environmental harm.

The policy mandates allocating 1% of project costs to a green fund, appointing agencies for tree translocation, and hiring specialists for plantation work. However, the society's review of key projects found glaring lapses in adherence.

After multiple ignored appeals, the society approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which issued directives on December 16 for strict policy compliance. The tribunal also called for an independent monitoring committee and periodic compliance reports.

The society continues to press the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for a timeline to execute these measures, warning of further legal action if the environment remains neglected.

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