Punjab: Action initiated against officials for felling trees

Punjab: The forest department has initiated action against officials of the water resources department for indiscriminate felling of trees and damage to the roots of other trees in the Machhiwara forest area under the Sirhind canal widening project. The department has found that more than 100 trees were either felled or damaged during the canal widening by the contractor appointed by the irrigation department. “Action has been initiated under the Indian Forest Act and Forest Protection Act. A report has also been prepared regarding the felling of trees and damage to the ecology and wildlife,” Punjab Principal Chief Conservator of Forests RK Mishra said.

Ludhiana Divisional Forest Officer Rajesh Gulati has written to the police to register a case against Water Resources Department Executive Engineer Damandeep Singh and two SDOs. The uprooting of trees has sparked strong protests from environmentalists. The Public Action Committee (PAC) has approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT) seeking registration of an FIR in the case as well as imposition of environmental compensation on the water resources department. Officials associated with the project said that the project involves widening and lining the Sirhind Canal so that its capacity can be increased from 12,000 cusecs to 15,600 cusecs. Work on the 1.5 km long section in Doraha area of ​​Ludhiana has started this month.