Palarivattom flyover work requires cutting of 47 trees

Kochi: Even as the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDC- K) is all set to start the construction of the much-awaited Palarivattom flyover, there are apprehensions over the loss of greenery in the area.

The expert committee on Social Forestry, which is the authority to give the nod for tree cutting, has instructed that trees be relocated in the area before starting construction of the flyover.

This is for the first time that the Social Forestry committee has recommended relocation of trees for a project. As per the committee’s report, more than 47 trees have to be removed along the NH 47 from the Indiavision office to Spices Board office at Palarivattom, for the project.

“Usually, the committee recommends compensatory afforestation for cutting a large number of trees for big projects. For Kochi Metro Rail, we recommended that 10 new trees have to be planted in place of each tree that is being cut down. But, planting new trees and nurturing them have been found to be unsuccessful. Hence, the committee has proposed relocating trees,” said Jacob Lazar, member of the committee.

Since all the 47 trees in Palarivattom are only one or two years old, it is easy to shift them, according to Jacob Lazar. The committee has strictly instructed RBDCK to submit details of relocating trees before commencing construction works.

Meanwhile, RBDC-K additional general manager M T Thankachan told DC that the expert committee’s approval had been sought for cutting the trees and a detailed plan for relocating them would be submitted, if necessary.

“No big trees have to be cut for the project and only small plants along the median and roadsides have to be axed. We will submit a proposal for relocating trees if the committee demands. Trees can be shifted to the free space along the service road,” he said.