Tree felling from Mendora to Chandanpura affecting big cats
16 Mar 2020 12:18:19
Staff Reporter :
BHOPAL is known for co-existence of big cats and humans but deforestation being done for urban planning is affecting this balance. Several trees are being chopped in many areas especially in Chandanpura and Mendora region. Movement of tigers and leopards is common in these areas but hundreds of trees have been chopped in these regions for urban planning. Master Plan 2031 includes permission to residential construction in Mendora and Chandanpura under Public Semi Public (PSP) where movement of big cats is reported quite often.
While drafting this master plan, the Forest Department raised an objection with Town and Country Planning (T&CP) to put ban on construction work around these areas citing example of rules. Wildlife activities and urban expert too raised objection over the issue. Urban Expert Kamal Rathi from MANIT said, “Apart from NGT, officials have also ignored court’s order in terms of forest areas in Master Plan 2031.
As per Supreme Court’s Godhavarman order on December 12, 1996, construction work could not be done in forest areas. In case of urgency, permission can be sought from Central Forest and Environment Ministry regarding construction work in the forest region. Guidelines of this rule are also displayed on URDPFI book of the Central Government.” He further said, T&CP Master Plan 2031 should amend this permission of construction work in such areas. In September 2019, Forest Department also wrote a letter to T&CP informing certain details like movement of 40 tigers around the city.
Planning and construction in certain areas are not possible without previous permission of authorities and the court. He said that officials did not seek permission before drafting planning and construction permission in big cat’s movement areas like Mendora, Mendori, Chandanpura, Kerwa, Chawani, Chichli, Gol, Samargarh, Bhanppur, Awala, Kaliyasot, Mahabariya, Borda, Satgarhi, Berkhedi, Khusalpura, Barkhedi Khurd, Kalkheda, Nayapura, Daulatpura, Hinotia, Inayatpura, Rasulia and Thukhedi regions. Master Plan 2005 provisioned 24 meter wide roads in forest regions while the new master plan increased the road widening as 45 meter. Wildlife experts said that would be dangerous for the wildlife. The road will be connected to Neelbad after passing through non-conserved forest areas including Rasulia Jagir to Daulatpur, Chichli, Mendora, Mendori, Khudaganj and Barkhedi.