Permission has been granted to fell more than 1.12 lakh trees in Uttar Pradesh for construction of a new route for Kanwar Yatra. The Environment Department of the UP Government submitted this information to the National Green Tribunal (NGT). These trees are being felled in the protected forests of three forest departments of Ghaziabad, Meerut and Muzaffarnagar. The proposed route will run from Muradnagar in Ghaziabad to Purkaji in Muzaffarnagar.
How many trees have been cut down?
The Environment Secretary said that so far 25,410 trees have been identified, of which 17,607 have been felled. This work was carried out under the supervision of Uttar Pradesh Forest Corporation. However, tree felling work was suspended from August 9, 2024. In some areas, harvesting has not yet started.
How were the trees counted?
NGT had asked the UP government to report the exact number of trees. The response stated that when felling has been completed, it is not possible to count the trees and bushes because the bushes were also removed during the clearing operation.
How many trees will be cut down?
The government has made it clear that a total of 1,12,722 trees and plants will be felled under the project, but not more. Also, when PWD completes the new 15-20 meter wide road, tree counting and felling will be done in the remaining areas.
legal permission
The UP government said that this land comes under the category of protected forest and in principle, it got approval from the Central Government in February 2023. Therefore, it was not accounted for under the UP Tree Act, 1976.
What is the definition of trees?
According to the environmental portal, trees are divided into three categories according to their circumference: 0-30 cm, 31-60 cm and more than 150 cm. It also includes small plants and trees with a circumference of less than 30 cm.
The UP government has assured the NGT that felling of trees will not exceed the prescribed number during the entire project. Now it remains to be seen what direction this matter will take.
