Widening of a National Highway Demands Cutting of 140 trees: What Is Your Opinion?

September 5: As per the National highway officials, widening of NH 169 A, between Manipal and Parkala, requires felling of 14o trees. The NH officials had submitted a detailed project report (DPR) to the Centre on the widening of Thirthahalli-Malpe road at an estimated cost of Rs 636 crore.
Public and environmentalists have opposed the felling of 140 trees for the widening of National highway. Green crusader Premanand Kalmadi said that the felling of 140 trees will have a negative impact on the ecology.
Environment activist Balakrishna Maddodi said a joint survey needs to be conducted by forest department officials and the public to save as many as trees possible. He also demanded that the transplantation of felled trees should be permitted by the government.
Members of National Environment Care Federation (NECF) also submitted objections against the felling of the trees to DCF, Kundapura division.
NECF through an email mentioned that Karnataka suffers from water crisis every year and the National Highway Authority should not be allowed to indiscriminately axe the trees. NECF’s email also objected to the widening of the road into a four-lane road is unnecessary as there is no traffic on the present road NH 169 A.