9 hrs ago
Road Widening Puts 694 Trees at Risk in Sambhajinagar
A road in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is being made wider.
Officials say 694 trees need to be removed for the project.
Environmentalists say the real number may be between 700 and 750.
Many of the trees are old native trees, including Banyan, Neem and Tamarind trees.
They want officials to find another way to widen the road or save more trees.
The environmentalists have taken the matter to the National Green Tribunal.
Tree cutting has continued while the issue is being considered.
Officials say they are planting new Banyan trees to reduce the environmental harm.
A machine also fell while branches were being cut, but nobody was hurt.
The Public Works Department says 694 trees must be cut for widening the Nagar Naka-Daulatabad T-point road to six lanes.
Environmentalists estimate that 700 to 750 trees stand along the route, including many native trees aged 50 to 100 years.
Environmental groups have petitioned the National Green Tribunal, which has taken cognizance of the tree-felling issue.
Tree cutting has continued despite the petition, prompting questions about the administration’s handling of environmental concerns.
The PWD says it has planted 78 Banyan trees and plans to plant about 500, while a JCB suffered minor damage during trimming work on September 11.
- Who
- The Public Works Department, environmentalists and residents of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar are involved; PWD Executive Engineer Sheshrao Chavan described the project’s progress.
- What
- A road-widening project is leading to the planned removal of 694 trees, while environmentalists challenge the felling and seek alternatives.
- Where
- Along the Nagar Naka to Daulatabad T-point route in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
- When
- Tree cutting was underway by September 11; the articles do not specify the year.
- Why
- The trees are being removed to widen the route to six lanes; the PWD says replanting will compensate for some environmental impact.
Environmentalists and Residents
Public Works Department
Whether tree felling should continue
Environmentalists and Residents
Environmentalists and residents oppose the cutting of large numbers of old native trees and have sought an alternative plan or measures to save them.
Public Works Department
The PWD says the road-widening work is proceeding according to plan and that 694 trees need to be cut.
Scale of the tree loss
Environmentalists and Residents
Environmentalists say there are actually between 700 and 750 trees along the route, more than the PWD figure.
Public Works Department
The PWD’s stated figure is approximately 694 trees slated for removal.
Environmental compensation
Environmentalists and Residents
Environmentalists question whether replanting adequately addresses the loss of centuries-old and 50- to 100-year-old trees.
Public Works Department
The PWD says it is planting 10 trees for every felled Banyan tree, has planted 78 Banyan trees and plans to plant about 500.
Key facts
- Project
- Widening the Nagar Naka-Daulatabad T-point route to six lanes
- Trees cited by PWD
- Approximately 694 trees
- Environmentalists’ estimate
- Between 700 and 750 trees
- Tree ages
- Many trees are reported to be 50 to 100 years old
- Legal action
- A petition was filed with the National Green Tribunal, which took cognizance
- Replanting
- The PWD says 78 Banyan trees have been planted, with about 500 planned
- Safety incident
- A JCB collapsed during branch cutting; there were no casualties and minor machine damage
Sources
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