A transport firm allegedly cut down entire trees in Ballari city while moving wind turbine blades from Thoothukudi to Aspari in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. The Forest Department has filed an FIR in connection with the incident.
On the night of February 14, three trees, including a palm and a neem, were completely felled at Sangam Circle in Ballari city. The accused has been identified as Birendra (58), a resident of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. A case has been booked under Section 33 of the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963.
It is learnt that JSW is installing wind turbines in Aspari of Kurnool district, and the 82-metre blades are being transported from Thoothukudi for the project. The company ‘Nabros’ was contracted for the transportation, with the route passing through Salem – Dabbapet – Chitradurga – Challakere – Ballari – Sangam Circle via Alur – Adoni.
While negotiating a turn at Sangam Circle, the massive blades reportedly faced obstruction from roadside trees. The transport firm had sought permission from the Forest Department on January 6 to prune the branches. The Deputy Conservator of Forests, Ballari Division, permitted only trimming of branches, subject to conditions that three saplings be planted instead of the pruned tree and that a transit permit be secured for transporting the cut branches.
However, officials said the company violated these conditions and almost entirely cut down the trees.
Under Section 22(1) of the Forest Conservation Act and the Karnataka Tree Preservation Act, both the firm responsible and its head should be named as accused. In this case, only the individual who applied for branch-cutting permission has been booked, and his designation in the company has not been specified.