Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (SP)

Karkala, Jan 22: The road widening programme between Belman town in the taluk to Jantra is in progress now. This rural road was winding through a forest region. It is true that the road widening develops villages. At the same time, trees which were standing tall for hundreds of years are being axed.

The road widening programme envisages uprooting of a number of trees. The road leads to Shirva from Belman and already 42 trees standing on half a kilometre stretch have been uprooted.

This road was curvy and several accidents causing deaths and pains have happened here over the last some years. In one of these accidents a bike rider had died on the spot after falling under the wheels of a bus. In another accident, a lady was killed on the spot after a bus and a tipper collided with each other.

Belman deputy range forest officer Prakashchandra, says that as permitted by the forest department, 42 trees were cut down, and these trees were sent to the depot. He said that once the road widening work is completed, saplings will be planted afresh. A villager, Sathish, said that while development is good for the people, it is also true that the fact that trees are sacrificed for it dampens one's spirits.