Tree-cutting on Daultabad Road
Rupesh Kalantri, who has approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT) over the issue, claimed that besides banyan trees, several 40-50-year-old neem, tamarind and maharukh trees have been cut. Because of the method being adopted, chhatrapati Sambhajinagar : Environmentalists and conservationists have accused the public works department of illegally felling decades-old banyan and other trees for the widening of the Daulatabad Road, alleging that even trees earmarked for transplantation are unlikely to survive. Stay updated with the latest Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar news.
The loss of such old green cover is a big loss for citizens and the environment,” he said. “Authorities had said that some select banyan trees would be transplanted, but in reality, even those trees marked for transplantation have been heavily pruned, leaving only 15 to 20 feet of trunk,” said Kishor Pathak, honorary wildlife warden for Jalna. The authorities must come out with answers before harming the green cover,” he said.
The allegations come as work gathers pace on upgrading the road into a multi-lane highway, with huge trunks and chopped branches seen strewn along the stretch. “Other options of the road widening could have been considered, but authorities are bent on cutting trees. Authorities have maintained that selected banyan trees are being transplanted. However, conservationists questioned the process, alleging that the trees have already been pruned so heavily that their chances of survival are slim. “Such rules are not followed in case of widening of the Daulatabad Road. Conservationists have demanded immediate transparency on the tree transplantation plan and compensatory plantation measures. PWD officials could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts. Download the TOI App.
“There is no clarity on the transplantation process. The method to be followed sounds unscientific. Not a single tree had survived,” he added. Pathak further alleged that norms requiring a portion of highway project funds to be earmarked for green cover and plantation are not being adequately followed.
It must be taken into account that earlier attempts to transplant banyan trees from Paithan Road and Kranti Chowk area had completely failed.