In Bengaluru, Over 33,000 Trees Could Be Cut To Make Way For The Peripheral Ring Road Project
Environment v/s infrastructure has been a long-running debate in our country, and more often than not it is the environment that suffers at the expense of infrastructure projects.?
Amid the concerns by environmentalists and citizens, Karnataka's capital Bengaluru is set to lose 33,000 trees for the Peripheral Ring Road.
The draft Environmental Impact Assessment for the Peripheral Ring Road connecting Tumakuru Road and Hosur Road in Bengaluru showed that 33,838 trees will have to face the axe for the project.
The 8-lane road of 65.5 km length will complete the remaining half of the Nice Road with 10.50-metre wide service roads. The project is estimated to cost Rs 15,111.42 crore.
The draft EIA Report contradicts the Bangalore Development Authority's (BDA) previous claims that only around 200 trees would be cut for the project.
The environmental impact assessment was carried out by the BDA on the order of the Supreme Court in March after it noted contradictory stand on the diversion of forest land for the project which was approved in 2005.
The BDA had moved the SC against a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order that rejected initial EAI based on a report filed by the Horticulture and Forest Department which said that 16,685 trees will be removed.
"The project also envisages removal of trees (33,838 trees) and roadside structures (1,451 structures) which also leads to permanent changes in the existing land use pattern," the new draft noted.
"Removal of 33,838 trees and clearance of vegetation cause disturbance in Microclimate, habitat loss and disturbance of vegetation and sensitive plant communities.Removal of these trees can make alteration and physical disturbance, increased risk of Soil erosion and release of CO2," the study said.
BDA had sought 25 acres of forest land in Jarakabande Kavalu near Yelahanka for the project. The road will also be located at a distance of 7.21 km from the Bannerghatta National Park and 1.49 km from the Puttenahalli Bird Conservation Reserve.
The draft EIA report warns that the water resources and water quality in the TG Halli catchment area will be affected.
"Removal of 9,304 trees affects the hydrological regime and water quality in the TG Halli catchment area," it added.
It further states that the removal of 33,838 trees will result in the erosion of soil.?
Another impact, the report state is on the livelihoods of people who would be affected due to the acquisition of agriculture lands and landed assets.
