Big decision of Jharkhand High Court: Ban on indiscriminate cutting of 13,681 trees for construction of Chatra bypass.

Amidst the ongoing tussle between environmental protection and development in Jharkhand, the Jharkhand High Court has given a very strict and historic decision. The court has completely stayed the felling of 13,681 lush green trees to be cut for the construction of the much-awaited bypass road project proposed in Chatra district. Taking seriously the continuously decreasing forests and environmental imbalance in the state, the High Court has given clear instructions to NHAI and the state government to ‘re-align’ the route of the road i.e. to amend the route. This decision of the court has created a wave of happiness among environmentalists and local citizens, because they believe that stopping this destruction of nature in the name of development was the biggest need of the hour. After this important order, now the road construction agency will have to find a new option so that on one hand the traffic can be facilitated, while on the other hand thousands of precious trees and the natural habitat of the animals there can also be saved.

The construction of the bypass road was being planned for a long time to reduce the increasing traffic pressure and heavy vehicular movement within Chatra city. The construction of this bypass was supposed to relieve the city residents from the problem of traffic jams, but the preparation to sacrifice thousands of trees in the dense forests coming in its path had created controversy. Hearing PILs and issues raised by environment lovers, the Jharkhand High Court underlined that development projects are meant for the convenience of the public, but indiscriminate destruction at the cost of the environment cannot be accepted. The forest cover in the state is already decreasing and in such a situation, if more than thirteen thousand trees were cut simultaneously, the environmental balance there would have been irreparably damaged. The court bluntly said that striking a balance between development and nature is true progress and for this engineers will have to find new and environment-friendly options.

According to the instructions given by the Jharkhand High Court, now the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, NHAI and the State Forest Department will have to jointly reconsider the alignment of this bypass. ‘Re-alignment’ means making slight changes in the road map, either taking it out from the forest edge or using modern engineering options like flyover/elevated road, so that minimum trees have to be cut. The court has made it clear that cutting of trees without changing the route will not be allowed at any cost. Experts say that after this instruction, even though there may be some delay in the completion of the project, it is a very commendable step in terms of far-reaching consequences, which will set an example for future infrastructure development.

After this decision of the High Court, the local people and environmental activists of Chatra have heaved a sigh of relief. He says that this decision will not only save the trees, but will also ensure the protection of the pure environment and wildlife of the area. On the other hand, after this tough stance of the court, a round of meetings has started between the state government, district administration and NHAI officials. The team of technical experts is now preparing satellite imagery and survey reports afresh so that minimal forest land is affected and the construction of the bypass can proceed without any legal hindrance. This entire incident has once again proved how sensitive and alert the country’s judiciary is towards the environment and the basic rights of the citizens.