More than 4K trees felled along NH-8 to pave way for development activities
GURUGRAM: There seems to be a heavy price being paid for the ongoing developmental activities at the National Highway-8 in Gurugram. More than 4,000 trees have been felled by the Haryana forest department along the busy highway that is witnessing various developmental activities like building of flyovers, underpasses and widening of roads.
The intersection points where massive trees have been cut down are IFFCO Chowk, Signature Tower and Rajiv Chowk.
This is not the first time that there have been massive felling of trees along the NH-8. Earlier, for widening of roads a large part of green cover had been removed.
“We were told to cut down 4,000 trees along different intersections of NH-8 by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) for the purpose of development activities. After completion, the HUDA will later replant the trees. However, as we are involved in commercial plantations and charge money for planting trees that agency may not be us,” said a senior officer from Haryana Forest department (South Division).
“Even though it may sound shocking that a large part of greenery has been removed along NH-8, it is important as over the years there is a massive increase in traffic at NH-8 which has led to the rise of air pollution,” said the official.
Complaints of dwindling green cover and massive felling of trees have also been reported from other parts of the city.
Recently, there were more than 1,000 trees that were cut at Village Chauma situated along the Aravallis. The government administration in the city has set an inquiry over the matter.