Bhubaneswar: Even as World Environment Day is being observed today with emphasis on afforestation and environmental conservation, large-scale tree felling in Bhubaneswar continues to raise concerns among environmentalists and residents.

Fresh instances of tree cutting were reported near Anand Bazar in the Unit-9 area on Thursday. Similar activities have been witnessed in recent years across several parts of the city, including Niladri Vihar, Pokhariput, Salia Sahi, Old Town and the MLA Quarters area in Unit-4, where hundreds of trees have been felled for development projects.

While the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department is promoting plantation drives, environmental experts argue that the pace of tree felling in the capital far exceeds compensatory plantation efforts. Over the past decade, thousands of trees have reportedly been cut for road widening, construction projects and urban expansion. From mature banyan trees to saplings planted just a few years ago, a wide range of vegetation has been lost.

According to existing norms, the felling of one tree for development work should be compensated by planting ten saplings. Agencies undertaking such projects are required to deposit funds for compensatory afforestation with the Forest Department before obtaining permission to cut trees. However, environmentalists claim that the implementation of these rules has been inadequate.

Official estimates indicate that more than 30,000 trees have been cut in Bhubaneswar over the last ten years for developmental activities under the City Forest Division and Chandaka-Dampara Division. Based on the prescribed ratio, nearly three lakh saplings should have been planted, but the target remains far from achieved.

Environmental Plan Remains on Paper

Experts point out that the Bhubaneswar Environment Plan, prepared by the state government around 15 years ago, has largely remained unimplemented despite the issuance of a special notification by the Forest Department.

The plan contained recommendations on air and water pollution control, solid waste management, environmental infrastructure and sustainable urban planning. Experts had identified Bharatpur Forest as the "lungs" of the city and stressed the need to protect it from developmental pressures, particularly due to its importance as an elephant habitat.

The blueprint also recommended the creation of green belts, population management measures, heritage conservation, reduction of pollution in industrial and transport zones, preservation of open spaces for parks and protection of water bodies from encroachment. Although 11 circulars related to the environmental management of Bhubaneswar were issued, many of the recommendations have yet to be implemented.

Questions Over Tree Transplantation

In 2025, Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan had stated that small trees affected by road construction projects would be transplanted instead of being cut. However, nearly a year later, the initiative has not been effectively implemented.

Recently, more than 300 fruit-bearing and medicinal trees, including jackfruit, mango, bael and neem, were cut near Salia Sahi. Environmentalists claim that around 130 of these trees could have been successfully transplanted. Similarly, around 20 trees were cut in the Unit-9 area for the development of a park, though locals believe many of them could have been relocated.

Documents accessed by 'Sambad' indicate that during the construction of the Ekamra Kanan-IMA road, land classification changes were made in areas adjoining Bharatpur Forest. At the time, the state government had assured authorities that ten times the number of trees cut would be planted as compensation. Eight years later, the promised scale of the plantation has not been achieved.

The issue has also surfaced in projects such as the MLA Quarters redevelopment, where more than 700 trees were reportedly felled. Promises to transplant smaller trees during the project were also not fulfilled.

Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Sing Khuntia said urban expansion has made tree felling unavoidable in certain cases. He, however, acknowledged the challenge of finding suitable land for plantation within the city and said efforts are being made to undertake afforestation in areas on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar.

Decorative Greenery Withers Away

Apart from large-scale tree felling, concerns have also emerged over the neglect of urban beautification projects. In the past, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) had invested significantly in landscaping medians, flyover surroundings and major road corridors, especially during the Men's Hockey World Cup.

Today, many flower pots installed at prominent locations such as Raj Mahal Square, Kalpana Square and other major intersections stand empty. Decorative plants have reportedly dried up due to a lack of maintenance and watering.

Several expensive flower pots, some costing between ₹1,000 and ₹10,000 each, were installed at Raj Mahal Square to enhance the city's appearance. However, many have disappeared, while others remain barren. Hanging flower pots, once attached to electric poles along key roads, including Raj Mahal, AG Square, Secretariat Marg and Airport Road, have also vanished.