Sambalpur, Aug. 22: The state forest department has proposed to plant trees along the National Highway 6 from Sambalpur to Godbhaga.
The NH-6, which connects Mumbai with Calcutta, is being expanded to four lanes from Ainthapali in Sambalpur to Luhurachati. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is executing the work.
“The stretch from Ainthapali to Godbhaga falls within the jurisdiction of Sambalpur. Because of augmentation of the road, 3,538 species of trees will be removed from the stretch,” said Devapriya Kampa, assistant conservator of the forest department.
“Hence it has been decided that tall saplings will be raised along the roadside to a tune of 10 times the plants removed. The NHAI is in a process to deposit Rs 3.17 crore required for raising 35,380 saplings,” he said .
“The plantation drive will be conducted on the 17.7km stretch along the NH-6. Around 2,000 saplings, which will include 666 tall tree saplings and 1,334 ornamental ones, would be planted on every 1km stretch. The drive will begin after the land is handed over to the forest department,” Kampa said.
“Once the land is handed over to us, we will develop it and carry out plantation. The roadside will be developed as a green belt. The saplings will be planted in a double row,” said Kampa.
An official source said: “Trees which provide dense shade will be planted along the road. We will raise the trees for five years. According to the need of the area and the environmental conditions, mostly indigenous tree species have been included in the plantation proposal. Mango, arjun, rain tree, banyan, chhatian, bisnuchuda, debadaru, jamun karanja, sausage tree, muchukunda, krishnachuda mysore queen, neem peepal, jackfruit, phasi, putranjeeva, radhachuda, fishtail palm, silver oak, simul and tamarind will be planted along with a variety of shrubs.”
“Trees trap dust and effectively reduce pollution. Another advantage is their ability to reduce noise pollution. Journey on the NH-6 will be more pleasant after the plantation. Greenery also helps overcome the stress during journey,” said Bhagirathi Jena, a commuter.
“Thousands of trees are being felled to expand roads. Deforestation has an adverse effect on the atmosphere. This drive will help balance the atmosphere and provide shade to the commuters,” said resident Rabi Narayana Satpathy.
