NGT orders reassessment of road expansion impact on Chevella Banyans

Hyderabad: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to conduct a fresh and comprehensive environmental impact assessment (EIA) before proceeding with the expansion of NH-163. In a ruling issued on March 25, 2025, the southern bench of the tribunal rejected the EIA previously submitted by NHAI and put the Expert Appraisal Committee’s (EAC) recommendation, which had approved the document, on hold.

The NGT raised concerns about several deficiencies in the EIA report. Specifically, NHAI had requested an exemption from holding a public hearing, a key part of the EIA process. This request prevented public feedback, including input from environmental experts. The tribunal also noted that the report failed to address the ecological significance of the Chevella Banyans, despite a prior NGT judgment (OA 242; 2021) explicitly focusing on their importance.

Additionally, the EIA did not include any assessment of the fauna that depend on these trees or propose targeted mitigation measures for addressing the potential loss of habitat. The NGT highlighted that the Save Chevella Banyans campaign had documented 84 bird species, along with other creatures, that rely on these trees.

The tribunal also pointed out the lack of scientific assessment regarding the impact of proposed tree translocation. Although the EIA mentioned factors for assessing translocation viability, it found that only six of the over 500 Banyan trees identified were suitable for relocation. The NGT noted that past translocation efforts of large Banyan trees in India have seen poor survival rates, but the EIA provided no data to support the success of this approach.

Moreover, the tribunal questioned whether the ecological services provided by re-grown stumps would be comparable to those of undisturbed trees.

As a result, the NGT has directed NHAI to complete a thorough assessment before moving forward with the road expansion. The Save Chevella Banyans campaign, supported by the 500-member Nature Lovers of Hyderabad, hailed the ruling as a reaffirmation of the rule of law. The campaign urges NHAI to revise its plans to preserve the Banyans as part of the project.

In a judgement handed today, the NGT clearly stated that the EIA Report submitted by NHAI is not comprehensive and directed the project be kept in abeyance till a proper Assessment, including evaluating alternate alignments is conducted and submitted. The banyans are safe for now https://t.co/Cm3sqoMiJ2 pic.twitter.com/KsfmnegdCE

— Save Banyans of Chevella (@chevellabanyans) March 25, 2025

The National Green Tribunal has ordered a fresh environmental impact assessment for the NH-163 road expansion, halting the project over concerns for the Chevella Banyans. The tribunal flagged deficiencies in the initial assessment and called for a thorough review of the impact on… pic.twitter.com/nuq19tfqWK

— Hyderabad Mail (@Hyderabad_Mail) March 26, 2025