Centre Asks Odisha To Examine Plan To Axe 2K Trees On NIT-Rourkela Campus

According to the ministry letter, “the complainant has alleged that the proposed site forms part of a dense green cover serving as an ecological buffer zone and habitat for local flora and fauna.”

It further mentioned that, in order to prevent extensive felling, a different location on campus, where foundation construction for the Civil Engineering Department has already begun across more than five acres with allegedly little tree cover, may be taken into consideration. It further stated, “An Action Taken Report in the matter may also be furnished to this office at the earliest for further necessary action at this end.”

In his lawsuit, Samantaray referred to NIT Rourkela’s verdant campus in the industrial steel city of Rourkela as a “paradise for diverse wildlife, flora, and fauna” as well as the “lungs” of the city. Although he acknowledged that trees have previously been cut down for a variety of campus building projects, he maintained that the present plan to remove more than 2,000 mature trees is “uncalled for and could be avoided.”