Amritsar, January 22 (K. L. Jit Walia):The alleged illegal felling of trees worth approximately Rs 60 to 80 lakh under the guise of constructing a new road along the IPL Canal from Kot Mitt Singh to Bohru Bridge has caused a major stir in the region.
According to information, the road is being constructed on land belonging to the Canal Department. The project stretches nearly 4000 to 5000 yards, and a 50-foot-wide strip of land has been handed over to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). It is alleged that the Forest Department, without informing the Canal Department, secretly cut down valuable trees standing along the canal. This felling was reportedly carried out with the connivance of Forest Department range officers and guards.
Considering the seriousness of the matter, SDO Praveen Kumar of the Canal Department’s Khadoor Sub-Division reached the site for inspection along with his officials. The complainant, Sonu Jandiala, patron of Akal Seva Foundation and a noted social worker, and environmental activist Harkirat Singh Imban were also present at the spot.
SDO Praveen Kumar clarified that the Canal Department had issued an NOC only for those trees that were directly coming within the scope of road construction. No permission was granted for cutting trees along the canal or on its banks. He stated that the tree cutting was done by the Forest Department without authorization and that action would be taken as per law. He further added that the role of the Forest Department, PWD and NHAI would all be investigated in this matter.
Social worker Sonu Jandiala said that although the road was inaugurated by Punjab Government Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO and local MLAs, the project contract lies with the central government agency NHAI, under Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. He informed that a complaint regarding the freshly cut trees has been submitted to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, following which the matter was forwarded to Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh. The DC has entrusted the inquiry to ADC Amandeep Kaur, who is currently investigating the case.
Environmental activist Harkirat Singh Imban alleged that since the start of highway and road construction, illegal timber trafficking has been continuing unabated. He said that despite submitting complaints to several departments, the bureaucracy ignored the issue.
Both social activists stated that despite a High Court stay, rules are being openly violated and tree felling continues. They warned that if the situation persists, greenery in the entire area may be completely wiped out in the coming time.
KL JIT WALIA
