Odagaon: Mindless felling of over 50 large trees on the pretext of road construction under rural job programme Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has sparked resentment and tension in Nayagarh district, a report said.
It has been alleged that the contractor has cut down over 50 trees, each more than hundred years old for the construction of a road from Dandor to Kural under Odagaon block and tehsil in the district without the permission of officials. The trees were cut down using heavy machines four to five days after the start of construction of the road. Locals alleged that unless action is taken quickly, 30 more trees will be mowed down within the next two to three days.
Residents have expressed their wrath over cutting of so many old trees. The road once finished will connect this place with State Highway-21. It is being constructed close to a temple built near Kusumi nullah.
The residents alleged that the trees had been protecting them from heat and rain for generations and kept the environment pollution free. The trees were home to varieties of birds and it helped in a creating a nice ambience. However, with the trees gone, the area will wear the look of a desert, they said.
Sources said that the company started soil examination for the road but has not put up any information plaque describing the details about the project. The project director of the district rural development agency (DRDA) and the assistant engineer of the block are not aware about the wrongdoing as they have not visited the site yet to oversee the work.
On the other hand, the contractor and his henchmen have cut down several medicinal and fruit-bearing trees in the locality, without informing government officials, they said.
It is being alleged that the contractor is threatening the locals who are opposing the cutting of trees. A farmer who lost 10 decimal of land for the road project was forced to give his consent for tree felling out of fear. The farmer also alleged that an open well which has been a source of drinking water for generations has been closed by the contractor.
A representative of Kural sarpanch denied having any knowledge about the tree felling by the construction company.
Sudhir Kumar Parida, revenue inspector of Komand said that he will visit the spot and take necessary action. Sarat Kumar Mallick, assistant engineer, Odagaon block termed the tree felling as ‘illegal’. He said trees are usually cut with the joint permission of Forest and Revenue departments. He said he will visit the spot and seize the chopped logs and take action against the guilty.
Amrit Kumar Sahu, Odagaon forest ranger also termed felling of old trees as illegal. He assured that a probe will be conducted and promised strong action against the guilty.
PNN