M A I N   N E W S

25,000 trees face axe
Tribune Reporters

Amritsar, December 29
More than 25,000 trees along the GT Road face axe to make way for a four-lane Wagah-Jalandhar road, work on which will start in February.

According to official sources, the widening of the road will be undertaken by a private builder.

The Forest Department has chalked out a plan for green cover to replace the trees, which are proposed to be felled during the widening process.

As per the afforestation clause, the Forest Department is supposed to plant 10 times the number of trees felled.

Divisional Forest Officer Mahanvir Singh, while giving details of the proposed felling, said the National Highways Authority had deposited Rs 1,000 each for the trees that were likely to face the axe.

An approval from the Ministry of Environment and Forest was expected shortly.

He, however, confirmed that at least 10,000 trees along the Amritsar-Beas road, which falls in his division, would be axed. However, the total number of trees that might face the axe are expected to be around 25,000.

He said the price of old sheesham had been fixed around Rs 2,000, while a eucalyptus would fetch Rs 1,000.

He said the department had already submitted an afforestation plan to the State Forest Corporation.

The cost of the forestland to be used for the widening of the road will have to be deposited by the National Highways Authority to the Central Government, which would later compensate the state government.

The DFO said the work for the new plantation would be undertaken before the widening process begins.

However, environmentalist have expressed concern over the proposed felling of trees and pleaded with the government to ensure a contingency plan for plantation of shrubs and shady trees on the forestland. They want NGOs to be involved in the task of afforestation.

Meanwhile, MLA and Chairman, Improvement Trust Jugal, Kishore Sharma said the proposed four-laning project would begin in February. He said the state government would ensure that forest cover was not disturbed during the widening process.