Kolkata, March 22
For Bhilai Steel Plant, accustomed to investing thousands of crores in projects, marking out trees prior to cutting them for laying a road shouldn't really be anything more than a mere footnote. But, in the forests of Chhattisgarh, dominated by Maoists, it may not be quite as simple as that.
Enumeration of trees has started over several kilometres in the forests near Narainpur in Chhattisgarh. Forest officials are marking the trees and preparing two lists according to the variety and girth of each tree. Once enumeration is complete, the felling of the trees will begin. Then, the cut trees will be sold. Everything has to be recorded and kept in secrecy. Enumeration, which started nearly three weeks ago, has so far covered a stretch of seven kilometres, and without a hitch.
Peaceful execution
The peaceful execution of work is the most critical issue. The area is a stronghold of the Maoists. The forest has to be cleared to enable Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) to construct a 11-km long and 13-metre wide road, which will link the state highway with the hilltop that has iron ore reserves. From the bottom of the hill to the top, the distance is about 1.5 to two km. The winding road will help access the hilltop, which will be eventually excavated to raise an estimated 15.5 million tonnes of ore annually. In BSP's parlance, it is known as the Rowghat iron ore mine project.
BSP would like to start work on road construction immediately after the monsoon but is not sure if it will be able to do so.
Thousands of trees have to be identified, enumerated, felled and sold before the area is cleared for undertaking construction work. Not a small job. The onset of the monsoon will render the job even more difficult.
Also, this is not the only road that BSP would like to construct in the area. There is a plan to construct another 13-km long road to connect a proposed loading yard with the mines, and the two road networks will be separated by a distance of six km. Work on second network, it is felt, can be taken up later as it will be linked to the railway project for transportation of iron ore from the mines to BSP's plant.
Railway line
Construction of the railway line has started and Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd has entrusted a Nagpur-based company with the job for 43 km, out of the total 95-km stretch. The Ministry of Environment and Forests is yet to give what is called second-stage clearance for the 22-23-km stretch through the reserve forest, through which the proposed rail line will pass.
Is the forest dense?
Yes, but not as dense as that in Meghatuburu and Kiriburu, the locations of Steel Authority of India Ltd's mines, says a spokesman for BSP. “But, that does not make our job any easier,” observe sources close to the Forest Department responsible for identification, enumeration and the felling of the trees.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/03/23/stories/2010032353520100.htm
