The Assam government has informed the Gauhati High Court that no trees within the Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary will be cut down until a comprehensive impact study is conducted for the proposed Guwahati Ring Road project. The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury, was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Arkasish Chaliha and Mahesh Deka. The petitioners raised concerns about the execution of the 121-kilometer highway project, estimated to cost approximately Rs 5,729 crore, and its potential impact on the sanctuary located at the eastern periphery of Guwahati. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is the implementing agency.
Court Proceedings and Assurances
During the hearing, Additional Advocate General PN Goswami informed the court that the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife had granted conditional approval for the project, requiring a full impact study and prohibiting night construction. He also stated that mandatory forest clearance under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, had been obtained from the central government. While the Divisional Forest Officer of the Guwahati Wildlife Division had issued an e-tender for selecting a contractor for tree felling within the sanctuary for road widening, Goswami clarified that this was solely for contractor selection and not to commence work without the impact study by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) or any other specialized agency.
Timeline for Impact Study
The state government informed the court that WII had already received the detailed project report and related documents and was expected to submit a technical and financial proposal within two weeks. The impact assessment study would then be completed within 90 days of fund release by NHAI. “No trees shall be felled before the impact study is made available, and every effort shall be made to maintain and preserve the wildlife while executing the project. All the proscriptions and advisories shall be followed,” the additional advocate general assured the court.
Court's Decision
Based on the assurance, the bench stated, “With such disclosure and undertaking by the state and the NHAI, the executing agency, we do not consider it necessary to continue with this PIL any further.” The court disposed of the petition with the “hope and trust that every care shall be taken to protect the environment and simultaneously carry out the project as expeditiously as possible.”
Petitioners' Stand
The petitioners, represented by Senior Advocate KN Choudhury and Advocate Vikram Rajkhowa, clarified that they did not oppose the project, acknowledging the need for a bypass road for traffic management. However, they emphasized the importance of preserving the Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to numerous animal species.
