The Regional Empowered Committee (REC) attached to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has approved the National High Speed Rail Corporation’s (NHSRCL) proposal to fell additional 3,520 trees for the construction of Mumbai Ahmedabad High Speed Railway project, popularly known as bullet train. REC at its meeting held on June 14 considered NHSRCL’s proposal for diversion of 129.7197 hectare forest land for the bullet train project. REC had earlier approved felling of 14,555 trees but later NHSRCL had moved a fresh proposal to cut a total of 1 8,075 trees (additional 3,520 trees).
REC in its decision on June 14 said, ‘’ After detailed discussion and examination of the proposal the Committee decided to approve the cutting of additional 3,520 trees under the instant proposal.’’
REC said that it had accorded Stater I approval for the diversion of 129.7197 hectare of forest land on April 10, 2019 subject to fulfilment of certain conditions. After submission of State I compliance report, Stage II approval was also accorded on August 18, 2022.
‘’Now the Maharashtra Government on May 11, 2023 mentioned that Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Nodal officer, Nagpur has submitted revised letter and mentioned that the number of trees reported while sending the proposal were 14,555 in non mangrove area, now the actual number of trees to be felled are 18,075.’’
Earlier, the REC cited inconsistent data submitted by the state government on diversion of land and on actual number of trees to be felled.
The committee, at its meeting held on December 27, 2022, had decided to constitute a three member sub committee comprising Prof Suresh Chopane (Non Official Member, REC) Mr CB Tashildar, Assistant Inspector General of Forests (Central) and Mr N K Dimri, Technical Officer (Gr-I) to visit the proposed area to check the ground reality. In addition, the REC also decided to seek clarification from the State Government for submission of inconsistent data regarding Division wise area proposed for diversion and whether the number of trees proposed for felling is for full area or only in such area where working permission is granted.
‘’After examination of information submitted by the Nodal Officer, IRO, Nagpur found that there is inconsistency in data submitted regarding Division wise area mentioned during submission of proposal and area submitted now and number of trees submitted during submission of proposal and number of trees submitted now,’’ said REC.
‘’Further, the Committee was also informed that transplantation is not possible as no suitable area is available in the nearby forest area for transplanting other trees. Majority of the trees are of coppice origin and the area is slopy in nature.Some areas are Rock terrain in nature. Storm water drains obstruct the machinery for transplanting trees. MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) water pipe line and underground Gas pipeline situated along the road and forest boundary, obstructs movement of machinery to enter inside the forest,’’said REC in the minutes. These reasons were submitted by the Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF),Dahanu and DCF, Thane.
After examination of the proposal and interaction with the representatives of the NHSRCL, REC noted that the instant proposal was accorded State I approval on April 10, 2019. Accordingly, after submission of compliance report, final approval was accorded on August 18, 2022. The Chief Conservator of Forests (T), Thane has issued working permission in a non mangrove area to the NHSRCL for 88.1546 ha out of 129.7197 ha.
“Maximum number of trees up to 75 cm girth proposed to be felled may be transplanted by the State Government at the cost of User Agency (NHSRCL). However, the Chief Conservator of Forests (T), Thane through a letter dated November 25, 2022 informed that the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Dahanu and Thane when the enumeration of the trees was started for the process of transplantation, it was observed that the actual number of trees on field is more than the number of trees that have been shown in the proposal during submission. This is due to the positive error of sampling methodology by which the trees are enumerated during submission of proposal,’’ said REC.
