The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a directive mandating the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to deposit Rs 10 crore 90 lakhs with the Department of Social Forestry as compensation for the extensive tree felling along the Khed to Sinnar National Highway. The order emphasizes the need for reforestation efforts on both sides of the highway after the collection of compensation.
Social activist Ganesh Borhade from Sangamner filed a petition with the NGT in 2020, highlighting the unauthorized felling of over two thousand trees during the expansion of the Khed to Sinnar National Highway in 2014. Despite the expectation of compensatory tree planting, the NHAI failed to implement this measure until 2019.
In the recent hearing, NGT Pune bench Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and member Dr. Vijay Kulkarni rendered the decision, stating that the NHAI must deposit Rs 10 crore 90 lakhs with the Social Forestry Department to fund tree plantation activities. Advocate Rahul Chaudhary represented Ganesh Borhade in the case.
Ganesh Borhade explained that the NHAI was initially required to plant five times the number of trees, including species like peepal, banyan, bor, acacia, shisav, raiwal, badam, which were cut down. However, this compensatory plantation was not carried out as expected. The NGT had previously appointed a three-member expert committee to assess the situation, confirming that tree plantation had not been executed as planned.
The NGT’s order mandates the NHAI to deposit the compensation amount within a specified timeframe, with the stipulation that interest will be applied in case of delays. The allocated funds are expected to cover tree plantation responsibilities in Pune district, Nagar district (Sangamner), and Nashik district.
Borhade expressed satisfaction with the NGT’s decision, stating that justice has been served to the trees that were felled nine years ago. The Social Forestry Department has been entrusted with the responsibility of nurturing and conserving the newly planted trees for the next five years.
