PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday refuted reports that 50,000 trees would be cut for development projects in the State.
Speaking to the media after the Biodiversity Board meeting, Sawant said sometimes the media goes overboard without confirming facts.
“A maximum of 1,000 trees would be cut for Anmod to Mollem road widening on NH4A. I do not know where this figure has come from,” he said, referring to media reports. He said the four-lanning of the road was necessary as many people are dying due to accidents.
The newly-constituted State Wildlife Board, under the chairmanship of Sawant had met on Monday and deliberated on the projects. Sources had revealed that around 19,185 trees would be cut for doubling of railway track from Castlerock and Kullem, while 2,300 trees would be cut for the Kullem to Margao stretch.
Another 12,097 trees from protected areas were to be felled for four-lanning of NH-4A over a distance of 13 kms in the Anmod-Mollem section.
The third project is the laying of a new transmission line through Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, Mollem, which would necessitate the felling of another 16,000 trees.
