The National Green Tribunal on May 17 slammed the state of Assam and the National Highways Authority for giving scant regard to animals being killed mercilessly due to vehicular traffic on National Highway 37 passing through the Kaziranga National Park.

The tribunal directed the state to erect speed-breakers on the highway and take all possible measures to ensure that vehicles do not cross the stretch at high speed.

The bench also ruled that over-speeding vehicles, apart from being challaned under the Motor Vehicles Act, will also be fined Rs 5,000 as an environment compensation.

The Tribunal adjourned the matter. The date of next hearing to be notified later, the Tribunal said.

—India Legal Bureau