Joint Survey Planned to Minimize Tree Felling for NH Development Project in Mangaluru
The forest department, in collaboration with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and environmental activists, will conduct a joint survey on July 13 to reduce the number of trees that need to be cut down for the development of the NH 66 stretch from Nanthoor Junction to KPT Junction.
During a public hearing conducted by the forest department on Monday, activists expressed their opposition to the proposal of clearing 602 trees to make way for vehicular overpasses that would alleviate traffic congestion on the 1.6km national highway stretch from Nanthoor Junction to KPT Junction.
According to the Assistant Conservator of Forests and Tree Officer P Shridhar, although the NHAI has requested permission to clear 602 trees, only 232 will be axed, as 370 of them can be successfully transplanted. However, Shridhar mentioned that conducting a joint survey in the presence of environmentalists and NHAI officials could help identify additional trees that can be preserved.
To ensure transparency, the forest department plans to geotag the transplanted trees and upload the details on their website. They have already selected a location in Kavoor for the transplantation, and a few more places will be chosen as well.
H. Shashidhar Shetty, the secretary of the National Environment Care Federation (NECF), raised objections to the tree-clearing proposal and questioned why the NHAI couldn’t explore an alternative detailed project report that would minimize the number of trees affected by the development.
Noted environmentalist Jeeth Milan Roche stated that Mangaluru has competent engineers who can design a flyover that won’t harm the trees. He appealed to the NHAI to reconsider their plan.
Yathish Baikampady, a social worker, emphasized the need for a revised detailed project report that minimizes environmental risks. He acknowledged the efforts of environmentalists who have worked for years to grow the trees along the stretch.
According to Anirudh Kamath, the NHAI assistant executive engineer, two vehicular overpasses will be built at Nanthoor Junction and KPT Junction at an estimated cost of Rs 67 crore and Rs 40 crore respectively. These overpasses aim to alleviate traffic congestion in the city. Additionally, a vehicular overpass will be developed between Bikarnakatte and Mallikatta to address congestion at Nanthoor, and another between Circuit House Road and Airport Road to ease congestion at KPT Junction. The project also includes the construction of a new six-lane national highway stretch measuring 24 meters in width and two service roads of 7 meters each.
The joint survey planned for July 13 will play a crucial role in minimizing the number of trees to be cut down for the development of the NH 66 stretch. By engaging environmental activists and NHAI officials, the aim is to find alternative solutions and ensure that the maximum number of trees are preserved. The forest department’s commitment to geotagging the transplanted trees and providing transparency through their website is commendable. The concerns raised by activists and environmentalists highlight the importance of considering alternative project designs that prioritize environmental preservation while addressing traffic congestion effectively.
