Forest department to plant 12,000 saplings along NH

16,000 trees were felled for 4-laning of NH between Kundapur and Surathkal

Mangalore Range of forest department will plant 12,000 saplings along the national highway and other major roads which pass through Mangalore during 2012-13.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, RFO Clifford Lobo said that as many as 1013 trees were felled in the range to facilitate the work on widening of National Highway between 2009-11.

During the year, as many as 500 saplings will be planted along the airport road, 3,200 saplings in Baikampady, Kuloor, Padil, Kaikamba and Farangipet, 2,000 plants between Deralakatte and Mudipu, 2,000 in Kuloor, Panambur, Jokatte and Kaana, 500 between Kuloor and Bengre, 2,500 in Kuloor-Bajpe-Ganjimtt stretch and 1,300 saplings in Mangalore city.

“The department will plant saplings in place of axed trees between Surathkal and Talapady. The saplings will be planted along the National Highway, in phases as and when the four-laning of the road is complete.”

Saplings of flower bearing trees like ‘Kakke,’ Peltophorum, ‘Basavanapaada’, Mayflower, ‘Renja,’ ‘Aakasha mallige,’ ‘Sampige’ and fruit bearing and shade giving trees like rosewood, ‘Doopa,’ mango, jackfruit, Blueberry, ‘Kokkum,’ ‘Hebbalasu,’ ‘Devadaaru,’ and ‘Bailuhonne’ will be planted.
In fact, a total of 16,000 trees were felled, to facilitate the work on four-laning of National Highway from Kundapur to Surathkal, and Nathoor to Talapady.  In Kundapur division alone, as many as 14,000 trees were felled to take up four-laning of road from Kundapur to Surathkal.

Kundapur ACF Manjunath Shetty said “National Highway Authority of  India has given money to take up afforestation. We have plans to grow two saplings for felling one tree. Accordingly, saplings will be planted in government land at Kundapur, Brahmavar during the year.”

The Forest department of Mangalore division, which comprises eight ranges has decided to plant 11,03,200 saplings along the road, vacant space and inside the forest area during the year. In Mangalore range, 12,000 saplings will be planted.

In Bantwal range, the department proposes to take up afforestation drive in 76 hectare and plant 1,14,000 saplings. In Belthangady range,  1,99,800 saplings will be planted in 173 hectare. About 1,26,000 saplings will be planted in 168.34 hectare in Uppinangady range. In Puttur range, as many as 1,53,600 saplings will be planted in 185.95 hectares.

As many as  1,66,400 saplings will be planted in Panja range and 2,31,400 saplings will be planted in 253.50 hecatre in Sullia. In Subrahmanya range, as many as one lakh saplings will be planted in 165 hectare.

Under Hasirua Kavacha scheme, Kandla, ‘Gaali,’ Bailahonne, Ipomoea, Spinifex and others will be planted along the sea shore. These saplings will help in checking sea erosion. We have already started the planting of saplings, said the official.