Deforestation for development: 1,89,036 trees cut for 296-km long Bundelkhand expressway in Uttar Pradesh

More than 1.89 lakh trees have been felled for the construction of the Bundelkhand expressway, according to an RTI response. The trees were cut in Banda, Chitrakoot, Mahoba, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Aurraiya and Etawah, it said.

The 296-km long four-lane road will connect Etawah to Chitrakoot and Uttar Pradesh districts to the National Capital Region via the Yamuna expressway.

In a reply to a query by Banda-based activist Kuldeep Shukla, senior manager of the state Forest Department, Atul Asthana, said that the UP Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) has cut 1,89,036 trees for the project.

The UPEIDA has ‘planned’ to plant over 2.70 lakh saplings along the expressway, the RTI added. Banda Divisional Forest Officer Sanjay Agarwal said the trees were cut after permission from the Centre.

The expressway will ensure better connectivity of the Bundelkhand area with the national capital region (NCR)

But even though the sapplings 'will be' again planted some day, it would take decades to get back in it's original amount and not to forget the loss to wildlife which is not counted in the above loss of trees.