The government, however, says ´it will do all it can´ to minimize the environmental impact of the mass tree felling while widening the 27 kilometer-Ring Road, which is now being upgraded with Chinese assistance. [break]
"We will try to protect as many trees as we can," said Tulasi Prasad Sitaula, secretary of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPPT). "But, as per our survey, we will not be able to save many trees. At least 1,000 trees must be chopped down to upgrade the ring road."
In a bid to keep the surrounding areas of the ring road green even after the the mass tree felling, the government, according to Sitaula, will plant at least five trees for each tree felled in the course of widening the Ring Road. "Planting new trees alone is not sufficient," said Sitaula, adding, "We will also form a mechanism to ensure that the new trees will grow."
As part of a Rs 5.27 billion project, the Ring Road, which now has just four lanes, will be developed into an eight-lane road with bicycle lanes on either side. In the first phase of the project, which was formally launched three months ago, a 9-kilometer stretch from Kalanki to Koteshwar will be upgraded. In this very stretch, around 1,200 trees will be chopped down. Only some 200 trees will remain untouched along the ring road.
After the government´s plan to cut down hundreds of trees as part of the Ring Road-improvement project came to light, environmentalists had launched a series of protest arguing that the move will have detrimental effects on the city´s environment, including urban bird habitat.
"We are still opposed to the mass tree felling," said Shristi Bhandari, one of the activists. "If the government really plants five trees per tree felled, then we will withdraw our protests considering the necessity to expand the Ring Road. But, the government must convince us about it."
The remaining part of the Ring Road will be expanded in two phases. According to Sitaula, the government has urged the Chinese government to start the second phase work as well before the completion of the first phase. As per the present plan, the second phase work will be carried out only after the completion of the first phase. "
"If we upgrade the ring road in phases then it will take a long time," said Sitaula. "Therefore, we have urged the Chinese government to work simultaneously."
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