Tree Plant Strategy

Introduction:

Due to the widening of the project road within the exiting ROW, trees are felled. To offset
this impact the NHAI has decided to undertake compensatory afforestation programme and
median plantation. The Contractor shall also refer to the Forest Schedule of Operation and
specifications for raising of Avenue plantations.

Objectives:

The main objectives of tree plantation are as follows:

 Reducing the impacts of air pollution
 Natural noise barrier
 Arrest of land erosion
 Providing much needed shade during the day time
 Prevention of vehicle glare from vehicles coming from opposite direction
 Enhancement of aesthetic view of the corridors
 Climatic amelioration
 Defining of ROW especially at sharp curves during night.

Species Selection:

Grasses, shrubs and trees are the main species that are readily available in India. To
maximise the chances of success, one should try to select species whose growing conditions
roughly match the environmental conditions of the project site. Care should also be taken to
select the species with root systems that match the nature of the soil movement at the project
site and also take into account the economic and other social benefits while selecting the
species for plantation. During the selection of species preference should be given towards
rapid growing and pest and disease resistant species. Shrub species, which are dwarf and
pollution hardy, are to be planted in the median to prevent the glare of traffic moving in
opposite direction. Where possible, the use of non-native species should be avoided since
they can out compete and displace native plants leading to loss of native biodiversity.
Homogenous avenues of trees should be selected for long stretches as it provides aesthetic
qualities in the landscaping. Flowering, ornamentals plants and climbers can also be planted
in urban areas to provide beauty.

Plantation Pattern:

The type of plantation would be based upon the requirements and the feasibility of the sites
along the project corridor. The availability of the space in the ROW is a major guiding factor
for landscaping. For the sake of better road safety and for enhancing aesthetics, it has now
been felt better to provide the shade plants in the last available row. In the first or the only
available row; and other intermediary rows, small to medium sized ornamental trees should
be planted.
 Ornamental Plants (Except Last Row)
Distance from embankment 1m away from the toe of the embankment
Spacing between plant to plant 3m
Spacing between rows 3m
Size of the pits 60x60x60cm
No of plants per km 333
Height of the saplings at the time of planting 1.5m to 2m
Survival percentage of plantation 90% at any time
Shade Plants (Last Row)
Distance from preceding rows 3m
Spacing between plant to plant 8-12m (6m if high mortality expected)
Size of the pits 60x60x60cm
No of plants per km 84 (167 at 6m spacing)
Height of the saplings at the time of planting More than 2m
Survival percentage of plantation 90% after replacement of causalities in first
two years. 80% afterwards

Tree Felling/Cutting Details:

Tree felling permission issued under WALTA Act 2004 for 1) 123844 trees from DFO
Prakasam Km.1182.802 to Km.1309.000 (from Chevuru to Tatapudi) both sides as per
permission order no.Rc.No.1140/2010/S4, dated 18-03-2011, and 2) 71917 trees from DFO
Nellore Km.1309.000 to Km.1366.547 (from Chevuru to Nellore) both sides as per
permission order no.Rc.No.2008/2010-F13 dated10-05-2011

Afforestation plan to compensate for the felling of the trees from Km.1182.802 to
Km.1366.547. Areas of tree plantation cleared will be replaced according to Compensatory
Afforestation Policy under Forest Conservation Act-1980. As per provision of Andhra
Pradesh Forest WALTA Act, Compensatory afforestation will be done in the ratio 1:2 and
as per Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Compensatory afforestation will be done
in the ratio 1:3. Compensatory afforestation would be done at the ratio of two or three trees
for each tree to be cut as a minimum requirement and local species of trees can been selected
for plantation. The compensatory plantation should be done in consultation with the forest
department of the area. Below are the tables showing the requirement of no of trees to be
planted on both sides of the road as per the compensatory afforestation under WALTA Act
and Environmental Management Plan (EMP). The trees along the roadside will be planted in
two or three rows on both sides within the proposed right of the way. About 195761 trees are
going to be felled for development of the project road against which about 3 times trees are
proposed to be planted as per EMP.

Please find below the table showing total no of trees felled/cut on both sides i.e., LHS and
RHS of project road and remaining trees to be cut on both sides i.e., LHS and RHS of the
project road as on date as per the April 2012 Monthly Progress Report and the total number
of trees to be planted on both sides i.e., LHS and RHS of the project road as per the
compensatory afforestation policy under Forest Conservation Act-1980.
 Table showing compensatory afforestation at the ratio of two trees for each tree to be
cut as per the WALTA Act requirement

Sl. Particulars LHS RHS Total Trees cut as Remaining Afforestation/

No. on date trees to be cut No of trees to
as on date be planted on
LHS RHS
1 Package-1 23647 26146 49793 28612 21181 47294 52292
2 Package-2 34172 39239 73411 24485 48926 68344 78478

Table showing compensatory afforestation at the ratio of three trees for each tree to be
cut as per the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) requirement

Afforestation/
Remaining No of Trees to
Sl. Trees cut as
Particulars LHS RHS Total trees to be cut be planted on
No. on date
as on date
LHS RHS
1 Package-1 23647 26146 49793 28612 21181 70941 78438
2 Package-2 34172 39239 73411 24485 48926 102516 117717

Tasks of the Contractor:

As part of this project implementation, the contractor shall plant and maintain trees including
trees as compensatory afforestation in the incidental spaces, avenue planataion and flowering
trees and shrubs in the median. The specific roles and responsibilities of the contractor
include:

 Identification of the plantation stretches

 Identification of nursery area and preparation of nurseries
 Planting of saplings in the nurseries during the construction period so that the saplings
are a minimum 24 months old
 Replantation of the 2 year old saplings to the plantation stretches and
 Maintenance for three years including watering, removal of weed, litter and debris
from the vicinity of the plantation.
 Ensure the protection of the tree guards provided to the saplings from trampling and
browsing by the cattle.