A wave of anxiety has swept through environmental groups and local communities over the proposed widening of National Highway 717, which runs through ecologically sensitive forest corridors in North Bengal. The highway—connecting Dhupguri to Siliguri via Chalsa—is set to undergo expansion from the Mainaguri BDO Office junction to Chalsa Golai, passing directly between Gorumara National Park and areas under the Jalpaiguri Forest Division.
As part of the expansion, road widths will vary between 7 meters and 26.6 meters, especially around congested stretches like Lataguri, Mainaguri Bazar, and Chalsa Mangalbari Bazar. Preliminary estimates suggest that 470 trees may be cut, though the actual number could be higher, pending a joint survey by the Forest Department and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
In response to criticism, authorities have assured that for every tree felled, ten saplings will be planted, amounting to a compensatory 4,700 trees. But environmentalists remain skeptical, citing poor follow-up in past afforestation efforts.
Echoes of past violations
Activists have drawn parallels with a 2017 incident, where over 500 trees were felled—despite permission to cut only 320—for a flyover project near Lataguri. The breach led to legal action at the Green Tribunal and sparked sustained protests. Fearful of a repeat, local groups are now gearing up for mass mobilisation.
“We are not against development,” said Shyama Prasad Pandey, an environmentalist. “But we demand complete transparency and strict adherence to environmental regulations. No arbitrary tree cutting should be allowed.”
Kaustav Chowdhury, another activist, warned that climate concerns are rising in North Bengal. “The region is warming. Cutting down forests will worsen the situation. If concerns aren’t addressed, we will launch a larger movement.”
Officials call for balanced approach
Government officials are attempting to strike a middle ground. Mahua Gop, Public Health and Environment Officer of Jalpaiguri Zilla Parishad and also District TMC president, stated: “We support infrastructure development, but not at the cost of our environment. If 10 trees are promised for every one cut, we must ensure that promise is met.”
Rimil Soren, BDO of Kranti block, confirmed that survey work has begun, with emphasis on minimizing ecological impact. “Our aim is to cut as few trees as possible,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gorumara National Park DFO Dwijpratim Sen noted that no decision can be made until a joint survey is completed and the exact environmental toll is assessed.
Kingshuk Shyamal, Assistant Engineer at NHAI’s Malbazar division, stated that the agency will follow all legal guidelines related to deforestation.
“Every effort is being made to reduce the number of trees affected,” he said.
Civil society demands accountability
Environmental networks such as the North Bengal Environmentalist Joint Forum are now actively mobilising. Anirban Majumdar, the forum’s convener, called for immediate dialogue and release of a white paper detailing tree-cutting and plantation activities.
“If our forests are harmed again, we will not remain silent,” Majumdar warned.
As survey work proceeds and authorities prepare for expansion, environmental groups are closely monitoring the developments, pledging to intensify their agitation if demands for ecological safeguards and transparency go unheeded. With forest health and climate balance at stake, NH-717 may soon become the latest flashpoint in India’s ongoing conflict between development and environmental conservation.