Bihar Forest Department Takes on Highway Work and Forest Clearance Responsibility

In an unusual arrangement, Bihar’s Forest Department entered into an agreement with the state Road Construction Department (RCD) to take responsibility for a highway widening project while also facilitating the forest clearances required for the work.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed on September 26, covers the widening and strengthening of a 10.5-kilometre stretch of National Highway 333 in Munger district.

The existing road is a single-lane stretch passing through the Gangata forest. Under the project, it is proposed to be widened into a two-lane carriageway.

The MoU was signed by Bihar’s Head of Forest Force (HoFF) Arvinder Singh and RCD Engineer-in-chief Uma Kant Rajak.

The agreement has attracted attention because the Forest Department is responsible for protecting forest areas and is also involved in processing and scrutinising forest-clearance requirements. At the same time, the MoU assigned it responsibilities connected with delivering the road project.

According to the Environment Ministry’s Parivesh single-window portal, the project requires 2.1 hectares of forest land from the Bhimband Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Public Works Department had applied for forest clearance for the project in April 2023. An application for wildlife clearance was subsequently submitted in February 2024.

The status of the application on the Parivesh portal is listed as “Pending at State”.

The MoU specifically required the Forest Department to assist with the statutory permissions necessary for the project.

Clause 4.2 of the agreement states that the Forest Department would “extend all possible cooperation for obtaining and processing all necessary Forest Clearance/Forest Diversion approvals” and ensure compliance with conditions imposed by the competent authorities.

This provision has raised questions about the potential conflict between the Forest Department’s regulatory and conservation responsibilities and its role in facilitating the road project.

When asked about this issue, HoFF Arvinder Singh said that the MoU was being withdrawn.

“That MoU is being withdrawn,” Singh said when questioned about the arrangement. He did not comment on the circumstances that resulted in the Forest Department entering into the agreement.

The development comes while the required forest and wildlife clearances for the highway project remain under consideration.

The proposed road widening involves forest land within the Bhimband Wildlife Sanctuary, making statutory permissions an important part of the project process.

The MoU had therefore placed the Forest Department in a dual role — assisting with implementation of the road project while also helping secure the approvals required for diversion of forest land.

With the HoFF now stating that the agreement is being withdrawn, the future arrangement for implementing the project and obtaining the necessary clearances remains to be clarified.

The case highlights the administrative challenges that can arise when infrastructure projects pass through protected or forested areas and require coordination between departments responsible for development and environmental protection.