Trees axed for slip road, but no saplings...

Sukhmeet Bhasin 

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 26

A large number of trees have been axed by the Building and Roads (B&R) Department for widening of the roads in the city but the Forest Department has not planted even a single sapling so far to compensate for the green cover lost. 

The trees have been cut for constructing a slip road below the Bathinda-Malout railway over-bridge. 

Most of the trees which have been axed include old eucalyptus, neem and sheesham.

The B&R Department has undertaking this project after taking approval from the Forest Department. 

The Forest Department has transferred the land to the Municipal Corporation and B&R Department for the construction of the slip road. 

District forest officer Dr Sanjiv Tiwari said, “As per norms, within one year, we have to plant the saplings in compensation of the axed trees. We have sent the proposal to the higher authorities. We will start planting after we get approval.”

Rakesh Narula, president of Bathinda Vikas Manch, said, “We have axed a large number of trees for roads, habitat, highways and other things. It is high time now that the government should first plant the saplings and then start axing the trees.”

Sonu Maheshwari, president of Naujawan Welfare Society, said, “Various departments are not serious or concerned about the lives of the people as axing of trees is going on at a rapid pace. Even if we plant a sapling in compensation of an old tree, it’s not enough.” 

Advocate Rajan Garg said it was sad that a large number of trees were cut down across the state but nothing had been done to plant saplings to compensate for the loss of green cover.