A division bench of Justices Damodar Prasad Sharma and Prakash Wasti issued a mandamus order to the government stating that it was not necessary to construct the proposed road by causing damage to the national park. [break]
The court said that the proposed road could be constructed through other alternative route. The government on January 19 had decided to construct the proposed 51.2 Kilometer road.
The SC said that there would be more losses due to the destruction of natural environment than benefits from having the road.
Environmental Impact Assessment had recommended the government that the proposed road could be constructed through one of the following locations: Bhurigaun, Ranipur, Balati, Ambasa and thick forest area of Balati.
Advocate Ram Kumar Acharya, a member of Environmental Development and Conservation Lawyers´ Forum, on January 22 had filed a petition demanding annulment of the government´s decision.
Related story
Number of Bengal tigers reaches 87 in Bardiya Nat’l Park
