Nearly 1,000 trees to be uprooted on Kottivakkam-Sholinganallur stretch for widening ECR

A total of 123 trees have already been removed, with 1,230 saplings to be planted as compensation. Forest Department has requested ₹53 lakh for this and, necessary approvals are currently being processed, the Highways Department tells NGT

As part of the East Coast Road (ECR) widening project, nearly 1,000 trees between Kottivakkam and Sholinganallur will be uprooted.

The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), in a suo motu petition against the axing of trees along ECR, had sought a detailed report from the State Highways Department on the number of trees being cut down and the relocation of some of them.

The report filed by the Divisional Engineer of the Highways Department stated that so far, 123 trees had already been removed near Kottivakkam and Palavakkam. In line with environmental guidelines, the department is required to plant 1,230 saplings as compensation, following a 1:10 replacement ratio. The Forest Department has requested ₹53 lakh for this, and the necessary approvals are currently being processed.

The second phase of the project from Neelankarai to Sholinganallur will result in the removal of 856 trees. In this phase, 97 trees will be transplanted, and one, which is of religious significance, will be preserved. A total of 7,580 saplings will be planted as compensation, with ₹3.26 crore allocated for the initiative. The report stated that the department had already made an interim payment of ₹50 lakh for these compensatory activities.

To ensure the survival of the transplanted trees, specialised contractors have been hired to relocate the trees and care for them, with the monitoring of the replanting process going on. The Forest Department has been requested to expedite the planting of 8,810 saplings at the Heavy Vehicle Factory, Avadi, where 1,400 new saplings have already been planted.

Published - November 28, 2024 06:49 pm IST