SC Allows Road Near Jim Corbett National Park With Limits

The Supreme Court has issued an update on a road project in Uttarakhand. The road lies near Jim Corbett National Park. This place is of great value because many people are interested in Jim Corbett safari bookings. For the local villagers, the road is a primary way to go to school & hospitals.

However, building the road can damage forest land and wild animals. The Supreme Court gave equal consideration to both sides. They wanted to provide a helping hand to the people by keeping the environment safe as well. The court finally gave a green signal to the road project. However, they also made very strict rules for the same. These rules will ensure forest plants and animals stay safe.

Details Of The Laldhang–Chillarkhal Road Project

The Laldhang–Chillarkhal road project has a total length of about 11.5 kilometres. It is located in Uttarakhand & passes through thick forest areas. A significant part of this road passes through the Rajaji National Park. The park is well known because of its dense forests and many wild animals. Thus, the project area is very sensitive from an environmental point of view, with extra care & monitoring required in this matter.

Out of the total length, a 4.5-kilometre stretch between Chamaria Bend & Siggadi Sot is especially sensitive. This part of the forest is often used by wild animals to move from one area to another. At the same time, the road is very important for people. It also facilitates connectivity for around 18 remote villages, serving the needs of nearly 40,000 locals. This road is the only way for these people to reach hospitals, schools, markets, or even government offices. Without this road, the situation is really challenging for these people, especially in cases like medical emergencies & bad weather.

Supreme Court Decision On The Road

The Supreme Court allowed the road to be metalled, which means the surface of the road can be strengthened using proper construction materials to make it safer & more durable. This decision came after the court reviewed an earlier order from January 2023, when all construction work on the road was stopped. At that time, the court found that several environmental rules & legal requirements were not properly followed.

On February 12, the court revised its previous order after reviewing fresh documents and promises submitted by the Uttarakhand government. The bench consisted of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M Pancholi. The judges said forest and remote residents must receive basic facilities, including roads. However, they also stressed that such development must fully follow environmental laws & conditions. The permission given by the court is limited & comes with clear responsibilities for the state government.

Ban On Commercial Vehicles

Even though the court allowed the road construction, it strictly banned the use of this road by commercial vehicles. This ban includes trucks, dumpers, buses, & other heavy vehicles used for business or transport purposes. The judges felt that allowing such vehicles would increase noise, air pollution, & damage to forest land. Heavy vehicles can also disturb animals & increase the risk of accidents involving wildlife.

The road has the potential to reduce the travel distance between Kotdwar & Haridwar by about 65 kilometres. However, the court did not allow commercial traffic to use this shorter route. The court said that all large and commercial vehicles must keep using the longer road through Uttar Pradesh. It stated that reducing travel time for commercial transport is less important than protecting forest land, wildlife, and the natural balance near Jim Corbett National Park.

Wildlife Corridor Between Two Tiger Reserves

One of the main reasons for placing strict conditions on this road is that it passes through an important wildlife corridor. This corridor connects Jim Corbett National Park with the Rajaji Tiger Reserve. This is the only fully functional corridor that allows animals to move freely between these two protected forest areas.

Many animals, such as tigers, elephants, leopards, deer, & other species, use this corridor for movement, breeding, & survival. If this corridor is blocked or disturbed, animals may not be able to move safely. This can increase the chances of animals entering villages, leading to human-animal conflict. It can also harm wildlife populations in the long term. The court clearly stated that no construction or activity should block or disturb animal movement in this corridor. This decision also helps protect the natural environment that supports tourism through Jim Corbett safari bookings.

Villagers’ Needs & Government Assurances

People living in villages near the forest strongly supported the road project because the current condition of the road is very poor. During the rainy season, heavy rainfall often damages the dirt road & washes away large portions of it. As a result, travel becomes impossible for many days. Ambulances, school vehicles, & supply trucks cannot reach the villages during this time, which creates serious problems & risks to life.

Local leaders & public representatives presented these problems before the court. Bharatiya Janata Party MP Anil Baluni supported local villagers and explained why the road is important for their daily needs. In response, the Uttarakhand government gave several assurances to the court. One key proposal was to build a 400-metre elevated section of the road. This elevated structure will allow wild animals to pass safely under the road without interruption.

Environmental Concerns & Legal Issues

Concerns were raised by environmental experts & wildlife activists regarding the road project. They said the road project was poorly planned for construction inside the forest. It was not suitable for that environment. There are also reports that the project disturbed the natural water flow in the area. This can lead to flooding, soil erosion, and damage to plants and vegetation there.

It has also been seen that the project has violated some of the important laws, including the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 & the Forest Conservation Act of 1980. The laws are made to keep forests and wildlife safe. Due to this, the SC had earlier directed the project to be completely stopped.

After examining all the issues on record, the court ordered the state government to obtain every required legal approval to complete the work. It also directed that the road must be closely supervised after construction starts again. Only vehicles with proper permission should be allowed to use the road. Any harm caused to the forest land must be fixed at once without any delay. The court also clearly said that development cannot take place at the cost of nature, especially in areas close to Jim Corbett National Park