Axing of old trees has become order of the day in Srikakulam District with the lack of proper supervision for their protection and implementation of Andhra Pradesh Water, Land and Tress Act-2002. Many trees which were planted almost 150 years ago, during British regime, were removed for the road-widening on the Parlakhemundi-Kalingapatnam road.
According to experts, the road widening is not needed in the stretch as vehicular movement is very low in the stretch. One can find movement of a few vehicles even in the peak hours. It is alleged that the local public representatives insisted on the road widening under the pretext that many accidents were taking place in this stretch due to many curves and uneven stretches.
Sources say, Roads and Buildings Department should ensure heavy plantation in the particular route even if axing of trees is necessary and it should include in the agreements also. However, it is never taken seriously with the absence of awareness over protection of green cover. For instance, many trees were removed for laying new electrical lines and roads on the Amadalavalasa-Hiramandalam route, but green cover has not yet been improved.
“Mandal level revenue officials are supposed to implement APWALTA-2002 rules. They have to permit cutting of trees only after thorough verification. But no one is taking it seriously at the ground level. We are also helpless since the R and B has to approach us only for protected trees which come under forest species category,” said a forest official.
The R and B officials said that there was no other option except to axing the trees in the 40 k.m. stretch as the Government wanted to provide better connectivity between A.P. and Odisha through Parlakhemundi-Kalingapatnam stretch which again joins the Chennai-Kolkata national highway at Narasannapeta of Srikakulam District.
“We tried our level best to protect the trees. But it is not possible to take up widening without removal of trees. However, we will ensure plantation in accordance with the rules,” said a senior official of the R and B Department.
