Bhubaneswar: Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO) has not taken any permission from the Forest department for the felling of trees for an under-construction project in Sikharchandi Hill on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, a four-member committee said in its report today.

Allegedly, the ambitious drinking water project has been causing damage to the environment.

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During field inspection, it was observed that an area of about 7.5 acres (3.0 ha.) have been cleared and a road has been constructed clearing the vegetation, though IDCO has allotted 4.0 acres of land to WATCO for the project. From the analysis of the layout plan it was found that the proposed structure can be built on 3.0 acres of land, an official source said.

“The project site in Sikharchandi Hill does not fall within the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary. It is not even a notified forest land. The vegetation which is present adjoining the cleared site is shrubby in nature,” Chandaka divisional forest officer (DFO) clarified.

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“There is an acute shortage of drinking water in ever-growing Bhubaneswar and no such elevated area is there in the City where a water tank can be constructed to utilise the gravitational force for supply of piped water. As there was no access to the site, a road has been constructed for the movement of vehicles. There were no trees except small bushes; hence, no felling permission was taken from the DFO concerned,” a spokesperson of WATCO stated.

About four lakh people (nearly 30 per cent of the City’s population) will be benefitted from the project, the spokesperson added.

The committee interacted with local residents, elected representatives, Chandaka DFO, Bhubaneswar tehsildar and petitioners COO and WATCO.

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A scientist of Odisha State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) who was present during the site inspection opined that the construction of a water tank will not have a significant effect on the environment. The project does not require environmental clearance.

Besides, the DFO expressed that clearing of vegetation makes the soil vulnerable to erosion and this activity has resulted in the removal of vegetation which was present in the site prior to clearing it. This needs to be compensated by plantation and other soil conservation measures.

Notably, WATCO advocated that the distribution of water to the city is also an important welfare activity.

The committee recommended permissible activities in Sikharchandi Hill.