Trees on 7.5 acres felled without permission for Sikharchandi project in Bhubaneswar: NGT panel

The report of the panel constituted by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on the felling of trees and damages to Sikharchandi Hill for drinking water project has revealed some startling facts.  

According to the report submitted by the four-member committee comprising representatives of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), Khordha district Collector and the chief conservator of forest, who headed the committee, trees on seven and a half acres of land were felled without obtaining permission from the DFO.

Another important fact came to the fore that the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) had given four acres of land on the hill to the Watco as against three acres actually required for the drinking water project. 

It is now being questioned how the Idco had given four acres while three acres of land was required for the project and how trees on seven and a half acres of land were felled without any permission.  

However, the committee in its report has recommended a 'go ahead' for the water project which would cater to around four lakhs people of the ever-growing Bhubaneswar city. 

The committee also mentioned in its report that the project would be constructed on its original requirement of three acres of land and afforestation will be carried out on the rest four and a half acres. 

“Since the project (water project on Sikharchandi Hill) doesn’t require environment clearance, they say the project can be taken ahead. They also suggested that afforestation should be carried out on the remaining land after construction of the project,” said Shankar Pani, advocate.

Notably, the NGT team visited the spot on June 24 and held discussions with local residents and stakeholders.