District NGOs meet MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi over proposed felling of 7K trees on Patiala-Sirhind road
Patiala, July 7
The Sambh Sambhal Foundation met the newly elected Patiala Member Parliament (MP), Dr Dharamvira Gandhi, to discuss the problem of cutting over 7,300 trees on Sirhind-Patiala Road for the construction of a four-lane road.
Youth Wing president Arshleen Ahluwalia said Dr Gandhi assured them of his support for the cause of saving the environment. The foundation proposed that green cover could be saved if the government acquires land along the road.
The construction of the four-lane busy Sirhind-Patiala Road has begun, raising hopes among commuters in the city, neighbouring towns, and villages of smoother travel in the future. However, there is a green cost to the project—as many as 7,392 full-grown Shisham, Eucalyptus, Kikar, and Neem would be felled.
Each side of the road would be 8.75 metres wide, with a 1.2-metre verge in the middle. A steel bridge worth over Rs 10 crore is being constructed on the Bhakra Canal along this stretch. According to sources, in addition to 7,392 trees, around 20,000 saplings and mid-size trees would be chopped.
As many as 60,000 saplings would be planted in Hoshiarpur and Ropar as compensatory afforestation.
The Public Action Committee (PAC), the body of environmentalists, has lodged a complaint with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) demanding an immediate ban on the cutting of trees on Patiala-Sirhind Road. The PAC in a communiqué has stated that trees with a diameter of one- foot could be transplanted easily; however, these are also being chopped. Further, no additional land was acquired for planting trees, and compensatory afforestation of trees being cut in Patiala would be done in Hoshiarpur and Ropar.
An environmentalist, Col Jasjit Singh Gill, said the state government has been making efforts for plantation drives for about 10 to 15 years; however, there have been no significant results. He said there has been a decrease in the green cover. “So, there is no guarantee that the saplings planted as compensatory afforestation will ever grow into full-blooming trees,” said Col Gill.
