(IN): 7,060 trees felled in name of road development

[Guest guest]

Link: http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=jun0507/at06

 

7,060 trees felled in name of road development

By Prabal Kr Das

GUWAHATI, June 4 – For not less than 7,060 trees in Assam and the

various life forms they supported, World Environment Day would be of

no consequence. The trees have been mutilated, some cut into blocks,

others retained for processing at a later date.

 

They had to be felled because of widening of the NH- 37 across some of

the most beautiful landscapes of the State. Among those were valuable

species like Teak and Sal.

 

Ironically, the figure mentioned refers to trees felled till March 31

this year. The number of trees axed is growing, besides smaller plants

felled have not been accounted for.

 

Some of the trees had endured long lives. According to a forest

personnel some were not less than fifty years old, a few were much older.

 

Significantly, the effects of the removal of trees have already been

felt. Drivers and commuters both complain of more dust on the NH 37.

The trees had acted as a barrier against dust and strong gusts of

wind, which now is absent.

 

Gone is the shed for many of those who sought shade beneath the large

trees. Pedestrians or cyclists face a more strenuous journey once they

are on the highway.

 

The disappearance of the trees would affect the edges of the expanded

highway too. The extended portions would lack the soil binding effect

of tree roots, which was earlier the case. Engineers have to devise

some measures to control the impact of surface run off damaging the

new soil supporting the highway.

 

From an aesthetic angle, the felling of trees has already created an

atmosphere that appears flat and dreary. The green tunnel, changing

colours with the seasons, which greeted many commuters is now a thing

of the past in many sections.

 

Some local communities, especially the very poor have felt the absence

of the trees the most. The fuel wood they gathered, and the leaves

they used for different purposes are gone and the alternatives have to

be purchased at a cost. Without the trees, some settlements along the

road are enduring more dust and higher noise levels.

 

Surprisingly, no compensatory plantation has been taken up till April

this year, even though the felling of trees had started months back in

various parts of the State.

 

According to information provided by the Chief Conservator of Forests

(Territorial), " Compensatory Afforestation against 25.36 ha in Reserve

Forest land diverted for the purpose from Khanapara to Dharamtul shall

be taken up in due course. "

 

The CCF (T) further mentioned that new roadside plantation shall be

taken up after the completion of the highway-widening project.

 

The sad truth that not many would realise is that even though

compensatory plantation is carried out, the trees would need several

years to mature. Till then, both human beings and nature would suffer

from the loss of so many trees.