Daringbadi: Thousands of trees are being axed to make way for roads in Kandhamal district, raising environment concerns among activists.
They said at a time when climate change is posing a serious threat to the world, the mass felling of trees should not have been carried out by the authorities concerned, particularly the forest department officials.
Though proper road connectivity is essential for development, tree felling has an adverse impact on the environment. On the other hand, the timber mafia take advantage of the situation and smuggle out the felled trees to sell them at a premium. The Forest and Environment Department does little to save the trees and end deforestation, say sources.
Daringbadi was once known as forest land in Kandhamal district.
However, the rapid urbanization has led to large scale felling of trees for expansion of highways and other roads.
When contacted, Budaguda forester Rabimohan Nayak said that he was on a training programme since last one and half months. Similarly, forest guard Susant Baisakhi who is now in-charge refused to comment on the issue. On the other hand, Baliguda District Forest Officer (DFO) KS Pradeep said that he would be able to make any comment on the issue only after a probe.
Locals alleged that the officials are hand in glove with the contractors and timber mafias. PNN
