Forest land identified for construction of highways: James

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 14, 2021

Minister in-charge Forests & Environment James K Sangma on Tuesday informed that forest land has been identified for the construction of highways under the SARDP-NE phase A. 

Replying to a query raised by NPP legislator from Siju-Rongara Rakkam A Sangma in the Assembly, James said these include diversion of 27.606 Ha of forest land for upgradation of state highway (SH-04) stretch from Panda to Baghmara and diversion of 12.781 Ha of forest land for upgradation of 2-lane of state highway from Nongjri to Maheshkhola. 

He also informed that compensatory afforestation for the two projects will be done in the degraded forest land twice in extent of the forest areas diverted at Saipung Reserved Forest, East Jaintia Hills.