MANGALORE: It has been learnt that as many as 18,489 trees would face axe in the process of widening the National Highway 17 stretch from Kundapur to Suratkal and Nantur Cross to Talapady.
Reports say the Forest Department has permitted the National Highway Authority of
India to fell these trees that come along the 90 km stretch of the highway. At the same
time, the NHAI has deposited a sum of Rs 84.22 lakhs with the forest department as a
compensation for the felled trees, at the rate of Rs 94000 per km.
It has also been learnt that the NHAI has agreed to provide 50 per cent of the revenue
earned by way of selling the trees, to the Forest Department.
If as many as 17,160 trees come within Kundapur forest department limits for which a
sum of Rs 64 lakhs has been deposited, around 1329 trees come under Dakshina Kannada
Forest Department limits. A sum of Rs 16.7 lakh has been deposited for the same.
Meanwhile, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Conservator of Forests Vijaykumar Shetty has
said that saplings would be planted on either side of the widened highway subject to the
availability of space.
Already saplings have been planted during the monsoons on either side of some
highways, he informed.
Land acquisition notification
The Government has already issued a notification for acquisition of lands for the
widening of the NH 17 stretch in 18 more villages. Earlier, notification for land
acquisition had been issued in only eight villages. The highway widening would
encompass a total of 64 villages and as of now notifications have been issued in just 28
villages.NHAI sources revealed that all 63 villages in Udupi district excluding Kote
village, have received the notification.
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