ITANAGAR, Feb 7: The Banderdewa Forest Range has taken strong exception to the felling of large trees in the Drupong Reserved Forest on Monday by the Public Works Department without obtaining Forest Clearance.

Eight numbers of fully grown large trees beside NH 415 in Drupong Reserved Forest were illegally felled/uprooted by the contractors of NH-415 package-‘C’ M/s ARSS Infrastructure Project Ltd. near Banderdewa Forest Range Office today, using excavator machinery in presence of Circle Officer, Banderdewa and AE Highway PWD Naharlagun Division, which it termed is in gross violations of Forest Conservation Act 1980 and Assam Forest Regulation 1891.

The Banderdewa Forest Division said it has completed all codal formalities related to submission of diversion of forest land pertaining to this Division for the 4 Lane NH 415 project as per the provisions of FC Act 1980 and which is awaiting for approval from the Govt. of India, Ministry of Forest Environment & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) Regional Office Guwahati. No Non-Forestry activities are permissible in Reserved Forests under the prevailing Rules of FC Act 1980 without obtaining prior approval from the Govt. of India which is mandatory. 

The Banderdewa Forest Division says the felling was carried out under instruction from the DC Itanagar Capital  and 30 police personnel were deployed. 

"This instance of illegal tree felling by the PWD Highway has occurred after repeated correspondence and meetings between Forest Department & PWD Highway Division regarding pendency of Forest Clearance of the NH-415 4-laning project at the MoEF&CC Regional Office Guwahati," the Divisional Forest Officer, Banderdewa said in a press release adding that the same firm has uprooted fully grown trees last year too.

There is already an ongoing case on 4-Lane NH 415 from Hollongi to Chimpu filed by a citizen in NGT Kolkata where the court has observed strong remarks against State Forest Department for delay/inaction in executing prosecution of User Agency PWD Highway Division. The 4 Lane road was constructed without obtaining Forest Clearance from Govt of India. It is therefore advisable that all State Government departments and stake holders in development projects adhere to prevailing laws and rules, especially in Reserved Forests and Protected Areas, the DFO added.

Referring to statements by the DC Itanagar Capital given to digital news forum, the DFO said his(DC) statement that 4 Lane project is halted due to State Forest Department only is "completely false and largely misleading."

 "Govt of India is the sole authority to give Forest Clearance for any developmental projects in Forest areas. And this project of 4 Lane NH 415 has not been accorded Forest Clearance till date. User Agency of the project PWD Highway is requested to expedite the clearing objections of the MoEF&CC Regional Office Guwahati Govt of India for early approval," the DFO said.