Over 6,000 trees to be cut in Mahottari for Highway expansion
Under the project, the eastern section covering Mahottari, Dhanusha, and Sarlahi has received approval to cut 11,577 trees in total.
KATHMANDU: A total of 6,027 trees will be cut down in Mahottari district to facilitate the expansion of the East–West Highway.
According to Rajesh Kumar Das, Project Chief of the Kamala–Dhalkebar–Pathlaiya Road Eastern Section, the tree-felling order was issued after completing all procedures through the Division Forest Office, the Department of Forests and Soil Conservation, and the Ministry of Forests and Environment.
Under the project, the eastern section covering Mahottari, Dhanusha, and Sarlahi has received approval to cut 11,577 trees in total.
Of this, 3,674 trees will be felled in Sarlahi and 1,876 trees in Dhanusha, Das said.
The road expansion plan includes six lanes with a width of 31 meters in urban and market areas, while four lanes with an 18-meter width will be constructed in other sections.
Most of the trees marked for removal are sal trees, Das added.
The project also faces challenges such as relocating electricity poles and laying water supply pipes along the expanded corridor.
Tree-cutting work has already begun in Dhanusha and Sarlahi, and will commence soon in Mahottari, according to the project chief.
