On the occasion of International Day of Forests, RTI activist and lawyer Rasikh Rasool Bhat has raised serious concerns over the alleged lack of environmental clearance and impact assessment for the Handwara-Bangus Road, a project currently under legal scrutiny.
Advocate Bhat, who has contested the case before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), asserted that the road cuts through an ecologically sensitive and dense forest in Rajwar, yet authorities have proceeded without obtaining mandatory environmental clearances.
“Despite the matter being sub judice before the NGT in New Delhi, officials continue to disregard environmental laws, causing irreversible damage to the region’s biodiversity,” he said.
Highlighting the violations, Bhat stated that thousands of trees and medicinal plants have been destroyed, leading to severe soil erosion and an increase in human-animal conflict. “The consequences have been devastating—four lives, mostly children, have already been lost in incidents of wildlife intrusion,” he added.
Criticizing the authorities for their alleged negligence, Bhat accused them of misusing public funds and vandalizing protected forest areas. “Laws meant to protect our environment are being blatantly ignored. Instead of upholding environmental responsibility, some officials are attempting to suppress lawful voices and undermine the fundamental duty of citizens, as enshrined in Article 51A(g) of the Constitution,” he remarked.
Bhat called for immediate intervention to halt further destruction and ensure accountability, urging authorities to adhere to legal norms before proceeding with the project.
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