In 2023, the Central government entrusted the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) to widen 17 national highway stretches in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
Soon after, locals in Assam's Goalpara district started witnessing extensive tree-felling in the Krishnai forest area for a 4-lane highway project. This prompted a strong backlash from environmentalists and local communities. They objected to the government and Forest Department’s actions, stating that cutting these trees disrupts wildlife habitats and affects nearby residents. Following local people’s objections and media reports, the tree felling drive was suspended on 12 July, 2023.
As of November 2023, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) had cut as many as 8,600 trees, including 100 valuable sal trees in the Borjhar and Bormatia reserve forests, in Kamrup and Goalpara districts with permission from the Forest Department in the name of widening the National Highway 17 (NH-17).
The protest escalated after media reports quoted NHIDCL authorities saying that approximately 28,000 trees are slated to be felled for the expansion of the NH-17 on the 128-km-long Guwahati-Goalpara stretch. In November 2023, hundreds of locals hugged an over 100-year-old tree at Chhaygaon to express their sentiments. The movement reminded one of Chipko movement in Uttar Pradesh in the 1970s aimed at protecting trees and forests slated for government-backed felling. This campaign was being led by renowned filmmaker Rima Das and conservationists.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) took suo moto cognisance of the case and made the Assam Chief Secretary and NHIDCL as parties to the case.
However, despite public outrage and numerous appeals, authorities have already cut down thousands of age-old trees along the entire 100-km stretch passing through Goalpara, Kamrup (Rural) & Kamrup (Metro) districts [section of NH-17 (New)/NH- 31, 37(Old)].
According to Global Forest Watch, an online platform for monitoring forests, from 2001 to 2023, Goalpara lost 987 hectares of tree cover, equivalent to a 4.6% decrease in tree cover since 2000, and 428 kt of CO₂e emissions. In 2023, it lost 43 hectares of natural forest, equivalent to 22.3 kt of CO₂ emissions.
The felling of trees, including valuable species such as Sal (Shorea Robusta, Coppice), Krishnachura, Radhachura etc, has raised serious concerns among residents and environmentalists in Assam. The move has also raised questions about whether development should come at the cost of nature.
Meanwhile, the state representatives have indicated that the government is exploring more sustainable approaches, including compensating for the loss of trees through replanting and incorporating green spaces into development plans.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Opposition against environmental degradation
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
To stop illegal tree-felling for the widening of National Highway 17.
Region Classification
Urban and Rural
Type of Land
Common
Forest and Non-Forest
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Original Project Deadline
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Other environmental services, Government or community-regulated urban commons, Religious/Sacred/Cultural value
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Source/Reference
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
1876.29
Type of investment:
Investment Expected
Year of Estimation
2024
Has the Conflict Ended?
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Violation of environmental laws
Non-consultation with stakeholders
Non-implementation/violation of FRA
Legal Status:
In Court
Status of Case In Court
Disposed
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Yes
Name of the adjudicatory body
National Green Tribunal
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
Original Application No.177/2023/EZ (Earlier O.A. No.686/2023/PB)
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Assam Forest Department, MoEF&CC, NHIDCL (National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.), NHAI, Assam Public Works and Roads Department, District Administration (Goalpara, Kamrup (R), Kamrup Metro);
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
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