Agartala, Tripura – Sept 05: The Tripura government has revealed that 11,460 trees were cut down over the past two years and eight months to facilitate the widening of national highways across the state, sparking concerns about the environmental impact.
Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma defended the move, stating that the government is adhering to guidelines formulated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the National Green Tribunal.
Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman expressed concerns about the long-term environmental impact of tree felling, particularly on the state’s rivers and forests. He urged the government to avoid cutting down more old trees in the Baramura range.
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Ratan Lal Nath highlighted the government’s initiatives to plant new trees, stating that 10 new trees must be planted for every tree felled. Additionally, Minister Animesh Debbarma mentioned that five lakh trees were planted on July 5th, and an additional 76 lakh trees will be planted within the next one to two months.
The Tripura government has justified the felling of thousands of trees for road expansion projects, citing the need for sustainable development and adherence to environmental guidelines. However, the opposition has raised concerns about the long-term environmental impact of these actions.
