No felling of trees before DPR: Chief Minister Raut

BIRGUNJ, Sept 29: Province 2 Chief Minister Lal Babu Raut has stated that he will not allow the felling of trees before the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the country's second international airport being built in Bara is prepared.

While inaugurating the 'Green Province Campaign' launched by the province in Sabaiya of Parsagadhi Municipality on Friday, Chief Minister Raut said, "We can't give the permission to cut down the trees until the DPR is prepared." According to him, there is high probability of encroachment upon national forest land after the trees are cut down.

Mentioning how delayed national pride projects have created a negative impact on the environment in the past, Raut asserted that the cutting down of trees before the submission of DPR will encourage the land mafia. "The land mafia are already trying their best to take advantage of trees even before they are chopped. So, we must wait until the DPR is ready," said Chief Minister Raut.

He stressed that the central government must coordinate with the provincial government for making and implementing any decision regarding development projects in the province. As a part of the 'Green Province Campaign', 50,000 tree saplings were planted in the eight districts of Province 2 on Friday.

Afforestation programs were conducted in various parts of the province in the presence of provincial cabinet members. Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Development, Jitendra Sonal coordinated the program in Bara and Minister of State for Agriculture Gogendra Ray in Rautahat. Similarly, Minister for Industry Ramnaresh Ray led the program in Sarlahi, Minister for Social Development Nawal Kishwor Sah in Mahottari, Minister for Internal Affairs and Law Gyanendra Yadav in Dhanusha, Minister for Financial Affairs and Planning Bijay Yadav in Siraha and Minister of State Usha Yadav in Saptari.

Chief Minister Raut claimed that this campaign has been initiated not for showing off to others but for creating an identity of the province.