Mizoram: Environmental Activists Accuse NHIDCL of Destroying Environment

AIZAWL : A protest was led by the environmental activists of Mizoram against the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) for not abiding by the environment rules and laws while taking up new highway projects. According to the activists, the new highway state projects are destroying the environment including the water bodies.

NHIDCL is currently working on projects to widen four highways in Mizoram which include NH-09 (Seling - Zokhawthar), NH-10B ( Keifang-Manipur), NH302 (Lunglei-Tlabung) and NH-54 (Aizawl-Tuipang). The activists slams NHIDCL for polluting the soil and agricultural rivers, and bringing about unstable factors to the ecosystem through its projects. 

Apart from the activists, five Divisional Forest Officers also complained about mismanagement of construction materials by NHIDCL. On the other hand, few organisations are in support of infrastructure development in the state.

On 19th July 2022, Aizawl witnessed a rally against these projects. More than 2000 people participated in the protest led by Youth for Environment Justice Mizoram (YEJM). The rally way headed by well known social activist Vanramchhaungi. The YEJM demanded to stop the highway projects as soon as possible in a memorandum to the office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest ( PCCF).

The YEJM expressed their feeling against the NHIDCL that is carrying out the infrastructure developmental projects in the state. In the memorandum they talked about the soil pollution and depletion in agricultural land caused by negligence of existing environmental laws by NHIDCL.

Vanramchhaungi said that, the rally would not have been a successful one without the mass support from college students. The YEJM also stands up for other projects that breaks the laws of environment.

There are assorted feeling towards the highway projects in Mizoram. Champai is one of the districts where NHIDCL's construction work has caused a lot damage. However, Young Mizo Association (YMA), the largest non profit organisation in Mizoram, is supporting the project.  

Also read: Mizoram: Role of Infrastructure in Boosting Tourism In NE Stressed by DoNER Minister

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