Solan tree felling: PWD told to stop work on road

Tribune News Service

Solan, January 13

Taking a strict note of reckless felling of trees while constructing the Shiller-Pathia link road in Kasauli tehsil, the Forest Department today directed the PWD, which was executing the work, to stop its construction.

The news was highlighted in the columns yesterday.

Conservator Forest, Solan, E Vikram, said, “The work has been stopped as trees have been felled in excess of the permission granted. Further strict action is being taken as per the norms.” He informed that the Divisional Forest Officer, Solan, was directed to inquire into the matter today.

Action soon

The work has been stopped as trees have been felled in excess of the permission granted. Further strict action is being taken as per the norms. — E Vikram, Conservator forest, Solan

A team of officials led by the range forest officer visited the affected spot to take stock of the situation today. “At least 11 trees were found felled in excess of the permission granted and a penalty of about Rs 1 lakh has been imposed on the PWD which was executing the work through a private contractor,” informed the Divisional Forest Officer, Solan, Shreshtanand.

He added that a preliminary inquiry was conducted today while a detail probe would follow to look into other violations. Further action as per the findings would be taken against those found violating the norm.

The findings have put a question mark on the field staff of both the Forest Department as well as the PWD, who turned a blind eye to such violations.

Locals alleged that 20 to 25 trees were felled while constructing the road and efforts were made to dispose them of in its vicinity. Apart from the construction lacking quality, the execution of the work in the mid of the rains has put a question mark on the work. PWD officials were yet to take stock of the shoddy construction.

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