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Experts Demand Tree Plantation Before Clearing Land For Metro Project Between Swabhumi and Sector V

By ugesh sarkar, Section Kolkata Metro
Posted on Wed Jul 30, 2008 at 04:26:35 AM EST

The state has entered into a row with environmentalists over the felling of trees to clear land for the East-West Metro project.

The project will help millions of commuters but nearly 800 trees have to be felled to make way for the Metro stations between Swabhumi and Sector V in Salt Lake.

The decision to cut trees was taken after prolonged discussions among the transport department, Bidhannagar Municipality and the forest department. Total area under the Metro stretch from Howrah station to Sector V station is 13.7 km, of which 5.7 km falls under the stretch from Swabhumi to Sector V.

Divisional Forest officer, M Rahaman said, "This is a small price to pay for a major development work. Millions will benefit from the project."

Environmentalist Subhas Dutta said: "Trees cannot be felled randomly in the name of development. As per norms, compensatory tree plantation should be undertaken within 5 km of the area from where the trees are felled."

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Experts also said though the forest officials were prompt to decide the felling of trees, it rarely cared about planting new ones.

The authorities, however, say Rs 38,74500 has been allocated for the plantation to make up for the trees felled.

"We have decided to first plant nearly 4,000 trees and then start felling trees for the project. We have earmarked around 45 hectares in the Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) area, places around Subhas Sarobar and Salt Lake for plantation," said Rahaman.

A meeting of the departments concerned has been scheduled on August 5, following which the plantation drive is likely to begin.

Environmentalists, however, argue that since most of the area under HIDCO is either under water bodies or occupied by residential colonies, there is little space left in the area. Questions are hence raised at the feasibility of the plantation drive.

Source: Express News Service 30/July/2008

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