UGC road project: UP proposes ‘alignment change’ before NGT to minimise tree felling

The counsels for the state of Uttar Pradesh have informed the National Green Tribunal that the state is considering an alignment change for the remaining portion of the under construction 111km Kanwar Marg alongside the Upper Ganga Canal, as that would require the felling of only two-thirds of the originally proposed number of trees/shrubs. The tribunal is currently hearing the matter of the construction of the road after taking cognizance of a HT report, dated February 1, 2024, about how the state government’s forest department gave nod to fell about 112,722 trees and shrubs in the protected forests of three forest divisions to construct two lanes of the road. The tribunal is currently hearing the matter of the construction of the road, which passes through ecologically sensitive areas, after taking cognizance of a Hindustan Times report, dated February 1, 2024, about how the state government’s forest department gave nod to fell about 112,722 trees and shrubs in the protected forests of three forest divisions — Ghaziabad, Meerut and Muzaffarnagar — to construct two lanes of the road. The road construction is presently suspended.” The tribunal has directed that objections/responses may be filed within three weeks on the joint committee report.