PUNE: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to pay ₹2.71 crore for felling trees for four laning of old Pune to Nashik and Khed to Sinnar highway. The amount will be transferred to the Social Justice Department and the trees will be planted by it.
The order was issued by member of NGT Pune’s judicial member Dinesh Kumar Singh and expert member Dr Vijay Kulkarni. The then sub divisional officers of Sangamner taluka had given permission to pull down 29 types of trees in 2014. While giving the permission, NHAI had been told to plant 10 saplings per one felled tree in the monsoon. Since this condition was not fulfilled, Ganesh Borhade had submitted a petition in NGT in 2020.
The NGT had formed a three-member committee in connection with felling of trees on Khed to Sinnar highway. The committee comprised two Forest Department officials and a NHAI member. The members of the Forest Department carried out an inspection of the Khed to Sinnar highway.
It had come to the notice that there was no underpass and bypass for animals to cross the road. It also came to the notice that trees on the road had been cut. The panel submitted a report to the NGT. Some issues supporting the claims made by the petitioner were raised and a recommendation about planting of 27,038 saplings.
The panel had recommended that saplings should be planted in lieu of trees cut on all national highways and funds should be provided by NHAI and the planting of saplings and their care should be taken by the Social Justice Department.
