Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department Reduces Tree Felling Area in Upper Ganga Canal Road Project
In a move aimed at addressing environmental concerns, the Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) has taken a significant decision to decrease the area designated for tree felling in the proposed 111 km Upper Ganga Canal (UGC) road project. The original plans had raised concerns as it would have resulted in the cutting of approximately 112,722 trees and shrubs across the districts of Ghaziabad, Meerut, and Muzaffarnagar. However, with the revised plans, the PWD expects to reduce the felling area by 25%, potentially saving around 10% of the trees in the process.
Environmental Benefits and Plan Details
Ram Raja, executive engineer of the PWD, stated that in response to the guidance of the tribunal to save as many trees as possible, the previously designated felling width of 20 meters has now been reduced to 15 meters. While final assessments will confirm the exact number of saved trees, preliminary estimates suggest that approximately 10% of the trees could be preserved through this reduction in width. This decision marks a positive step in balancing the necessity of infrastructure development with a commitment to environmental conservation.
The UGC road project, which aims to construct two lanes of the road known as Kanwar Marg, has been budgeted at ?6.58 billion. Official estimates indicate that the felling activities would have impacted approximately 16,873 trees in Muzaffarnagar, 66,685 trees in Meerut, and 29,164 trees in Ghaziabad.
As a part of an additional proposal, there has been a suggestion to transplant around 400 trees, out of which 86 have already been relocated in Ghaziabad. Isha Tiwari, divisional forest officer, expressed her confidence in the possibility of preserving a significant number of trees due to the reduced felling width.
NGT’s Suspicions Addressed
To address concerns raised by environmentalists regarding the potential loss of mature trees and its impact on local wildlife and biodiversity, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the Survey of India to provide satellite images that will ascertain the actual extent of tree cutting. Sushil Raghav, an environmental advocate, stressed the importance of gauging the project’s impact accurately and ensuring robust protections for the region’s old-growth trees. Through proper assessment and monitoring, it is hoped that any adverse effects can be mitigated and minimized.
Compensatory Afforestation Efforts
In earlier proceedings, the NGT had directed the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department and local authorities to provide detailed reports on the planned tree removals. It has been estimated that a total of approximately 222.98 hectares of land across the three districts will be subjected to felling activities.
A compensatory afforestation plan has been proposed, which includes planting 484,720 saplings in Lalitpur, Mirzapur, and Sonbhadra districts. These districts are located between 550 and 848 kilometers from Ghaziabad. However, some environmentalists express skepticism about the effectiveness of such measures and emphasize the need for stronger protection for the region’s existing old-growth trees.
Conclusion
While infrastructure development is essential for the progress of any region, Uttar Pradesh’s Public Works Department’s decision to reduce the tree felling area in the Upper Ganga Canal road project reflects a commendable effort to strike a balance between development and environmental preservation. As the project proceeds under the watchful eyes of NGOs and environmentalists, it is hoped that necessary measures will be taken to protect the existing trees, wildlife habitats, and overall biodiversity of the region. Public accountability and responsible development practices are vital to ensuring a sustainable future for Uttar Pradesh.
