Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (MS)

Beltangady, Feb 16: Resurvey of trees to be cut in order to widen Punjalakatte-Charmadi Road as part of second phase development of Mangaluru- Viluppuram national highway (NH).

Survey was completed in last May and a meeting for receipt of petitions from the public was filed on June 9. As 35 km more road widening order was given at the same time, the meeting was postponed.

As the road will get straightened, instead of 35 km, the stretch was reduced to 33.1 km and order for resurveying of trees to be cut was given. According to the new survey, as the road passes through forest area, more trees will have to be cut.

Representational image

In the last survey, 2452 trees to be cut were identified in order to develop the road. However, according to resurvey, 5494 trees will have to be cut. The forest department will fix a rate for every tree depending on its species and size. National highway authority needs to pay 10 times the price of a tree that needs to be cut to the forest department.

The work of removal of thorns and bushes for national highway development has already begun at Madanthyar. Once the process is over, trees will be cut and the work will take pace.

According to new survey, 224 to 306 trees have to be cut in Madanthyar, 952 to 2620 trees to be cut in Beltangady, 782 to 968 trees will be cut in Ujire, 127 to 394 trees to be cut in Chibidre and 204 to 336 trees will be cut in Charmadi.

Tyagaraj, RFO, Beltangady says, “Resurveying of trees is completed. Most of the processes are continuing. Within a few days meeting of receiving petitions from public will be held in the presence of DFO and concerned department officials.”