Khaira: Soro-Kupari state highway connecting Khaira and Soro blocks in Balasore district was once lush green on two sides, but for expansion of road, hundreds of trees were felled years ago. Funds have been provided to the Forest Department for plantation five years ago.
However, no effort has been made to replace the lost greenery on the road sides. Commuters find no shade in summer. Locals have long been demanding plantation under compensatory forestry scheme.
The Kupari-Soro road was granted state highway status in 2013-14. And, in the same year, over Rs 80 crore was spent for the road construction.
During the road expansion, the Orissa State Forest Development Corporation had cut down 173 big trees.
As per the compensatory forestry scheme, if a tree is cut for a project, at least 10 trees should be planted as compensation in the area. That means the Forest Department should have planted 1730 trees along the state highway.
The fund has already been provided for the plantation.
The Public Works Department has paid Rs 21.18 lakh towards tree cutting and Rs 25.77 lakh for fresh plantation to the Forest Development Corporation.
Locals and environmentalists said that five years have passed since the money was deposited with the Forest Development Corporation.
“Sad, the Forest Department has done nothing to carry out plantation work along the state highway,” lamented environmentalist Purnachandra Sendha.
However, Harish Dwari, Assistant Engineer PWD, said that some trees have been planted along the road while the department will be asked to carry out the plantation work.
Aditya Kumar Sethi, the sub-divisional manager of the Forest Development Corporation, said that he would look into the matter.
PNN