The National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has acquired 16.107 hectares of land at Nongumiang village, West Khasi Hills at a total cost of Rs. 1,98,43,824 for compensatory afforestation for the trees felled for widening of the Umshyrpi-Dawki road.
Dr. Nitesh Mozika, Deputy Solicitor General of India appearing for the NHIDCL in his affidavit filed before the division bench of Chief Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh of Meghalaya High Court today during hearing of a PIL filed by senior lawyer Kaustav Paul.
The affidavit stated that after obtaining due sanction from the Government of Meghalaya dated February 3, 2021, the land was thereafter handed over to the Divisional Forest Officer, Social Forestry and Territorial Division, West & South Khasi Hills, Meghalaya on February 25, 2021 vide Certificate of Handing Possession of Land dated February 25, 2021 for compensatory afforestation.
Thereafter, NHIDCL has also paid a total amount of Rs. 3,87,11,297 to the CAMPA Fund (Compulsory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority Fund) through the Divisional Forest Officer, East Khasi Hills & Ri Bhoi (T) towards the cost of compensatory afforestation over the 16.107 hectares of land, cost for NPV, cost for raising avenue plantation and cost of soil and moisture conservation structures on May 19, 2020 and August 7, 2020.
In view of the affidavit, the High Court disposed of this PIL by directing that the State government and NHIDCL should jointly and severally ensure that the afforestation work referred to in the affidavit of the NHIDCL is strictly carried out.
“Construction of the highway, which is of the paramount importance for the welfare of the State the completion of which is long overdue is to proceed with expedition, complying with the earlier interim orders of this court in this litigation and in accordance with law, and completed as early as possible,” the High Court added.
