New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh state government is preparing to fell 63,799 trees in Lucknow along the Gomti river for the Defence Expo, to be held in February next year, according to a report in IANS.
In a letter, the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has asked the Lucknow Nagar Nigam to cut trees from Hanuman Setu to the Nishatganj bridge as several events for the Defence Expo, in which guests from several countries will be invited to witness the country’s defence power, will be held there.
The LDA wants the area to be completely cleared by January 15, 2020, so that the cleared land can then be handed over to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) which is hosting the event.
The LDA has said that new trees will be planted after the Defence Expo is over and that efforts could also be made to relocate the trees that would be removed.
The LDA also sought Rs 59 lakhs from the Nagar Nigam for the plantation of new trees. The LDA secretary has said that the body spent Rs 59.06 lakhs on planting trees along the Gomti River.
Also read: The Story of India’s Private Forests
However, forest officials have said that the relocation of trees and plants was not possible in this season. “If relocated, the trees will die. The plants and the landscaping along the river will also have to be redone later,” a senior forest official said.
LDA secretary MP Singh told reporters that, “Due to upcoming winter season it is difficult to displace the trees and plant them somewhere else. This will ultimately result in destruction of trees and saplings and hence money will be needed for plantation of saplings at the same spot. That is why a letter has been written to Municipal Commissioner in this regard.”
The Defence Expo, which is being held in Lucknow for the first time around the theme ‘India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub’, is scheduled to take place from February 5 to February 8 and will showcase the defence forces’ latest arms and weaponry.