Intervention on NH7 Four laning along Pench not granted relief by Supreme Court

The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) had moved the Centrally Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court seeking a ban on the four laning of NH7 in the periphery of Pench-Mowgli Sanctuary. However, in a recent ruling the Supreme Court refused to give relief on the CEC recommendation for intervention. The court has encouraged the petitioner to approach the responsible authorities under the Wildlife Protection Act. It has also ruled that proposals be considered expeditiously given the importance of the issue. Experts feel that the highways authority will now have to seek permission from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) headed by the Prime Minister.