By Admin 
There are preparations for cutting of trees on a large scale under the Mhow-Khandwa gauge conversion project of Railways in Madhya Pradesh. According to officials, at least 1.24 lakh trees can be cut in a part of this project, so that the way for the construction work can be cleared. This section passes through dense forests of Indore and Khargone districts.
This historic short line of railway was laid during the princely state before the country’s independence. Now work is being done to convert it into a broad line. On completion of this project the distance between Indore and Mumbai will reduce. Apart from this, the connectivity of Western Madhya Pradesh with South India will also be strengthened.
1.24 lakh trees will be affected
Indore Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Pradeep Mishra said, “A total of 1.41 lakh trees are estimated to be affected in the dense forests spread in Indore and Khargone districts for the construction of the Mhow-Sanavad section of the Mhow-Khandwa gauge conversion project of the railway. According to our estimate, out of these, 1.24 lakh trees have to be cut, but we will try our best to save other trees. For the railway line in the hilly area, “Many trees will also be saved due to the construction of tunnels.”
He said that the Forest Department has received in-principle approval from the Central Government to cut trees. Now the final approval will be issued after the formalities are completed.
Environment protection plan ready
DFO Mishra said that the Forest Department has made a detailed plan to reduce the damage caused to the environment after tree cutting. He said that we have decided on special measures to reduce the impact of cutting of trees on wildlife, soil and moisture.
In the Mhow-Sanavad section of the project, 404 hectares of forest area in Indore district and 46 hectares in Khargone district are being affected.
Saplings will be planted in double the area
The Forest Department said that to compensate for the loss caused by tree cutting, plantations will be done in double the area. DFO said that limited land is available for plantation in Indore district. Therefore, saplings will be planted in a total of 916 hectares in the forest divisions of Dhar and Jhabua districts. 1,000 saplings will be planted in every hectare.
Environmentalists expressed concern
Environmentalist Shankarlal Garg expressed concern over this plan. He says that cutting of trees in large numbers will affect the air and weather of Indore. He said, “For the railway project, a large number of trees will be cut in the dense forests of Choral and Mhow. The climate of a big city like Indore is largely dependent on these forests. As a result, cutting of trees in the forests will definitely affect the rainfall and temperature in the city.”
Garg also says that human-wildlife conflict may increase due to tree cutting, because the area of forests will be reduced.
Work will be completed by 2027-28
A railway official said that under the Mhow-Khandwa gauge conversion project, a 156 km long major railway line is being laid, whereas the length of the earlier short line was 118 km.
He said that the work on the project is going on and it is expected to be completed by the year 2027-28.