Agenda No.-3 F. No. 8-70/2011-FC Sub: Diversion of 67.89 Ha of Forest

29 Agenda No.-3 F. No. 8-70/2011-FC Sub: Diversion of 67.89 ha of forest land for widening & strengthening of Ropar- Chamkaur Sahib-Neelo-Doraha Road (Section RD 25375-54735 i.e. Behlolpur Bridge to Doraha upto NH-1) in favour of PWD in Ludhiana & Rupnagar Forest Division in Ludhiana & Rupnagar district of Punjab. The present PUC is the State Government’s letter no. 26.02.2014 on the above subject mentioned wherein it has been reported that Conservator of Forests, Bist Circle has inspected the area involved on 05.02.2014 and reported that additional 977 trees, which are falling in the alignment of road could not be marked earlier due to deposition of soil heaps and undulating topography of the area. A report of the Committee, which was constituted under the chairmanship of DFO, Ludhiana by Conservator of Forests Bist has also been enclosed (p. 660/c). As per the inspection report done by the officials of Ludhiana Forest Division, following has been reported:- 1. Earlier, the field staff of Doraha Range and Samrala Range were told by the user agency to enlist the trees falling in the diverted area. A list was made in the presence of the representatives of the user agency and the contractor and only those trees were marked which made hindrance in the construction of road (Annexure-I) (ps. 661-662/c). 2. After cutting of the above made list it was told by the user agency that the remaining trees may also be cut as per the contractor (Annexure-II) (ps. 663- 664/c). The user agency wrote a letter No. 8673 dated 11.11.2013 to the department that after levelling of the area it was necessary to cut the remaining trees (Annexure-III) (p. 665/c). 3. In the light of above facts another list of 977 trees (382+595) was made collectively to be removed from the same diverted area (Annexure-IV) (p. 666/c). Background: The final approval to the above mentioned proposal was granted in Sept., 2012, wherein, total number of trees marked were 18,548 trees (in Ropar 4282+14266 in Ludhiana), 1505 poles (in Ropar 931+514 in Ludhiana) and 6560 plants in Ludhiana Division and 318 palm in Ropar forest division affected. The inspection of the areas was done by Conservator of Forests Shiwalik/Bist and DFOs, Ropar and Ludhiana. The Government of Punjab vide their letter dated 12.12.2013 (ps. 608-648/c) have informed that in the original proposal a total of 18,548 trees, 1505 poles and 30 6560 plants were involved. Earlier the case for felling of 131 additional trees and 48 poles of Ropar Forest Division has already been submitted to Ministry vide their letter dated 15.11.2013. State Government have now stated that CF, Bist Circle has reported that some trees which are falling in the alignment of the road could not be marked earlier due to deposition of soil heaps and undulating area. CF, Bist Circle has sent the marking list of 977 additional trees for felling. Hence, 1108 (131+977) additional trees are required to be felled in the above said diverted area. These trees are standing in the area which has already been diverted for road widening. The ADGF(FC) has observed as follows (p. 15/N):- “The reasons given by CF, Bist Circle are not convincing. How can there be errors to this extent in marking of trees falling in the alignment?” Accordingly, State Government was requested to get the area inspected by CCF/CF (Territorial) and send a report regarding justification for marking these additional trees. The above mentioned report at para 1 & 2 has been submitted accordingly. In view of above, the present proposal may be placed before the Forest Advisory Committee in its next meeting, if agreed to. (B.K. Singh) Director (FC) IGF(FC) .

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