Mass Tree Felling Begins in Salia Sahi Despite Govt Assurances

Bhubaneswar: Large-scale tree cutting has started in Salia Sahi for the Ekamra Kanan–IMA road project, despite earlier assurances from the Works Department that trees would be relocated instead of felled. The move contradicts a commitment made just six weeks ago by Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, who had stated that discussions with the Forest Department were underway to prioritise tree relocation over cutting.

On the ground, however, the situation is different. Smaller trees have already been removed, and heavy machinery has been deployed to bring down larger ones. Though the felled trees are being shifted, many that could have been safely relocated were cut down.

Over 250 Big Trees Marked for Cutting

Sources indicate that 254 big trees across 11 acres have been marked for felling, including jackfruit, mango, bael, and neem. Additionally, more than 200 smaller trees have already been cleared. By Tuesday, all small trees in the project zone had been removed and transported away.

No Plan Yet for Compensatory Plantation

The Forest Department has granted permission for tree felling, but compensatory plantation plans remain undecided. Chandaka DFO Binod Acharya confirmed the approval for cutting but said that decisions on where to plant new saplings are still pending. A survey will be carried out after roadwork completion to identify plantation spaces along the stretch, and there is currently no proposal for tree relocation.

With encroachments cleared from Salia Sahi, administrative processes for the road project are moving rapidly. Measurements for the proposed 200-foot-wide road have been completed, and drain layouts on both sides finalised. The Works Department has already prepared the detailed project plan.