2 lakh trees to be axed for e-way

The state executive's marquee 701-km Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway will devour up over 2 lakh trees.

A status document at the project, which used to be presented at a evaluation meeting on June three, stated that of the 2,76,050 listed trees, 1,53,744 have already been axed. Activists called the lack of green duvet one of the biggest in recent years for the project.

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the company that is construction the corridor, has claimed that it will plant 8 lakh trees to compensate for the loss. "The Wildlife Sanctuary of India, the Botanical Survey of India and the forest department will monitor the trees for seven years to ensure their survival. As consistent with the norms of Indian Roads Congress, 583 trees should be planted each 1 km but we will plant 650 trees each 1 km. We have started planning the plantation, which can be implemented the next monsoon. We will plant local trees, now not unique ones to ensure they survive, and also make irrigation preparations for all," stated Radheshyam Mopalwar, managing director and vice-chairman, MSRDC.

D Stalin of NGO Vanshakti the 'reimbursement' may not be as efficient as it's touted to be because the plantation drive will not immediately result in restoration of the fairway duvet. "Let's assume that the new plantation does take place. Saplings can't compensate for grown trees. A deficit of 20 years will remain. Also, how will the government provide 8 lakh litre of water every day? Is there any concrete plan?"

Tree activist Zoru Bhathena called the tree-cutting workout a killing on an exceptional scale up to now on this project. "Getting clearances for development projects is becoming easy. The process of checks and balances has been removed and the decisions stemming from them eventually harm the environment."

The parkway is predicted to be finished through 2021. Land acquisition for the project has finished and paintings has begun in 16 locations.