The 71.5 km Shillong-Dawki-Tamabil National Highway being constructed by the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL)has run into a major controversy after protests were raised by concerned citizens over the felling of scores of stately English pines along the Eastern Air Command area in Upper Shillong. On Wednesday the High Court of Meghalaya stepped in to stay the further cutting of trees along that stretch after a private citizen moved a public interest petition. The Rs 1251 crore project which includes land acquisition is being funded by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This mega venture includes a 4-lane highway for about 15 Kms from the Umshyrpi Bridge in Shillong to Baniun at 7th Mile Upper Shillong. If this highway comes up it will reduce the daily traffic jams from 7th Mile Upper Shillong to Umshyrpi Bridge in Shillong.
The work was started after all environmental clearances were received from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). It would be prudent to believe that the MoEF relied on clearances given by the State Expert Appraisal Committee Level(SEAC). Hence the State Government should be in the know of this. It is surprising therefore that Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma was caught by surprise at this tree felling exercise in what is Shillong’s own idea of a boulevard. His tweet further exposed his ignorance when he said that NHIDCL would be told to stop the tree cutting process when this was clearly the brief of the State Forest Department which relied on the clearance given by the MoEF.
The NHIDCL has naturally washed its hands off this fracas saying they are not responsible for the tree cutting part of the project since they are only engaged in road construction. It is learnt that JICA itself being an environmentally conscious organisation had made several realignments to avoid treading on cultural icons like monoliths etc., along the route.This road when completed would become an integral lifeline for people of the southern slopes of Meghalaya who can export their products to Bangladesh, their natural destination. They would also be more conveniently linked to the state capital. So the importance of this national highway cannot be overemphasized. The only concern is that the project would claim over 4000 trees. While compensatory afforestation is being taken care of and the Government of Meghalaya plans to offset the damage by planting some 40,000 trees in West Khasi Hills, that can never compensate for those stately pines that are part of the history and eco-system of Shillong.
