In a report by a Forest Survey (FSI) officer, dismissing the allegations of a forest survey, the Uttar Pradesh government has presented the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that it found no evidence of the tree exiting 20-meters out of the right path for Kanwar Marg, which is being built between Urad Nagar and Parakaji.
The major bench of the NGT is Suu Motu, who investigated the alleged massive tree case for the 111 km long Kanwar route. In February, it ordered the Chief Secretary of UP to find out whether the FSI Joint Director’s allegations were presented to the tribunal, were true. The UP government filed its affidavit on 21 May.
“Based on the on-site physical inspection, the old satellite Google images, and the cross-section provided by the Public Works Department, a total investigation was done on a total of 13 points. Depending on the available evidence, it can be said that no proof of the tree was found outside the tree outside the proposed 20-meter.”
A site inspection report associated with the affidavit states that FSI Joint Director, Meera Iyer made an error in measuring a width of 20-meters. The report said, “Measure the width based on Google Earth data by the joint director of India’s Forest Survey, it appears that the minimum 7.5 meters of land left from the toe of the irrigation department’s dole is also included in the width measurement,” the report states.
A dole or dowel is designed with canals for safety, usually between the service road and the edge of the canal, creates a raised barrier.
Lalit Kumar Verma, Additional Chief Chief Conservator, Lucknow, inspected the road construction site in April, along with officials of UP Public Works Department and Irrigation Department.
NGT joint committee investigation
The NGT had earlier formed a joint committee to inquire with other things as to whether the trees fell beyond 20-meter stretch, as allowed in the in-principal approval provided for the Kanwar route. Meera Iyer was part of the committee, Meera Iyer filed a separate response in February, stating that the FSI had identified several places where the tree failing had exceeded 20 meters. The FSI officer also attached photos to indicate the difference in stretch between 2022 and 2024, using satellite images, and presented that trees were cut over 20 meters.
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The proposed 111 km long road is being built with the correct branch of the upper Ganga Canal from Murad Nagar to Purkaji near Uttarakhand. The UP government is constructing the road on the basis that it will not only facilitate the movement of Kanwar pilgrims, but also the movement of vehicles. According to the submission of the UP government, 62 km has already been stretched and 17,607 trees have been axed for stretch.
(Tagstotransite) Kanwar Marg (T) National Green Tribunal (T) Tree Failing for Kanwar Marg (T) Forest Forest Survey of India for NGT investigation
