Mangaluru: Participants at a public hearing, which was held in connection with the National Highway Authority of India’s (NHAI) request for tree felling to facilitate the construction of a service road along NH-66 between Kolya and Kotekar in Ullal taluk, stressed that the authorities should maintain ecological balance by increasing green cover while taking up the work.Forest department held the public hearing on Monday following a proposal from NHAI seeking permission to fell trees to facilitate the construction of a service road and drain on a 700m stretch of the national highway. Mangaluru Range Forest Officer (RFO) Rajesh Baligar said that officials have counted 120 trees on the stretch. “An order on the actual number of trees to be felled for the project will be issued after receiving objections from the public. A public hearing will have to be conducted as per the Karnataka Tree Preservation Act, 1976, if the number of trees to be felled for any project exceeds 50,” the RFO said.Baligar said the NHAI will fund the planting of 10 saplings for every tree felled. Of the identified trees, some are exotic species, including Avalanda, Peltophorum and Deodara. In addition, Badam, Kadamba, mango and teak trees have also been identified, he said.Ashika KJ, horticulture expert of NHAI, said that the authority has been undertaking construction of a service road along NH-66 between Kolya and Kotekar, which is a black spot. She said a 7.5-metre-wide service road will be constructed along the stretch to ensure local vehicles do not enter the national highway abruptly. The work is expected to be completed before monsoon.Kotekar town panchayat president Divya S Shetty said that the trees identified for felling were planted by the forest department along the highway 10 years ago. “The department should, while planting saplings, ensure that they are not felled during future road development works. We need to maintain a balance between development and nature,” she said, suggesting that saplings should be planted on vacant govt land.Someshwara TMC vice-president Ravishankar said that a service road is essential for the convenience of people. However, the NHAI and the forest department should ensure that more saplings are planted to maintain ecological balance, he added.Talapady gram panchayat former president Suresh Alva urged the NHAI to provide a service road for NH-66 between Kumpala bypass and Thokkottu overbridge. ACF Mangaluru sub-division, Shashikanth S Vibhute, said saplings will be planted on available land, including college and university premises, shores of Someshwara beach, and in other available spaces to compensate for every tree felled.
