Rourkela: Some major portions of two national highways passing through Sundargarh district are in dire need of plantation drive at present. A large number of mature and very old trees were felled for the construction of two major highway projects– NH 143 (Barkot-Biramitrapur) and NH 215 (Rajamunda-Koira) – in the district. The rules stipulate that plantation should be carried out on 1:10 ratio, meaning – for one tree felled ten trees should be planted. More than 30 thousand trees had been cut down for both the highways. The National Highways Authorities of India (NHAI) took upon the responsibility of providing the saplings to the Orissa Forest Development Corporation (OFDC). The NHAI provided `28 crore to the OFDC as per the one-to-ten ratio.
Back in 2019- 20, three lakh saplings were sanctioned for plantation alongside the two highways. At that point of time, works were in progress on both the highways and the Forest department could not undertake plantations at some major places. “Due to this, a total of over one lakh saplings were shifted, of which 60,000 were taken to Jharsuguda, while 40,000 went to Jajpur since there was a shortfall in those areas,” said General Manager OFDC, Biswajit Raoutray. After completion of the constructions, 2, 29,000 saplings were planted. These trees are of 18-month variety (for maturity) and will grow up to six feet. The GM informed, “For plantation on NHs 215 and 143 we require another 70,000 saplings.” When asked about the delay, he said, “We are a corporation, we can only put forth our requirements. I am going put the request with the NHAI once again so that they might provide us with the saplings for plantation.” And in the absence of any vegetation, the Rajamunda Chowk, Biramitrapur and Barkot stretch wear a completely barren look these days.
RAJESH MOHANTY, OP