UP Government Proposes Route Change to Save 33% of Trees in Canal Road Project

State Informs NGT About Alternative Alignment to Reduce Deforestation
The Uttar Pradesh government has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that it is considering an alternative alignment for the remaining portion of the 111-km Kanwar Marg along the Upper Ganga Canal. This change aims to reduce the number of trees and shrubs felled by one-third compared to initial estimates.
The tribunal is currently hearing the case concerning the large-scale tree-cutting for road construction in ecologically sensitive zones across Ghaziabad, Meerut, and Muzaffarnagar. A recent Hindustan Times report (February 1, 2024) revealed that the state's forest department had permitted the felling of 112,722 trees and shrubs in protected regions for the project.

Environmental Concerns Over Tree Felling
Environmental activists have expressed concern that mass deforestation could cause severe damage to biodiversity and disrupt the wildlife habitat in the region. In response, the UP government has proposed an alternative route that would reduce tree cutting by 33%, requiring only two-thirds of the originally planned deforestation.

NGT’s Review and Government’s Actions
•    The Additional Advocate General (AAG) submitted that the irrigation department has issued a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for the new alignment.
•    The state will now seek further clearances, including an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
•    A joint committee comprising officials from the Forest Survey of India, the Union Environment Ministry, and the UP government is set to submit a final report on the matter.

Key Findings from the Joint Committee’s Assessment
•    The Public Works Department (PWD) has already felled trees in a 62-km stretch of the 111.49-km road.
•    40 km of forest remains untouched, with authorities ensuring that tree cutting stays within the permissible limit of 15-20 trees per km.
•    102 locations were inspected every 1 km to verify the extent of deforestation.
•    The team also examined 21 additional locations and found no evidence of illegal tree felling.

Proposed Realignment for Conservation
The UP irrigation department is considering a proposal to shift the road alignment by 7.5 meters towards the right-side banks of the Upper Ganga Canal, preserving two meters of the earthen embankment (dwala bund). This minor route adjustment could help save a significant number of trees and plants while allowing the project to move forward.
This development signals a balance between infrastructure expansion and environmental conservation, ensuring that critical green cover is preserved without compromising progress.