July 28: The age-old dispute between ecology and urban development is back to haunt Nagaon and Morigaon districts, and as always the former is the victim.

About 5,580 roadside trees will be felled in both districts to make space for expansion of National Highway 36 (Nagaon-Diphu) and National Highway 37 (Guwahati-Tinsukia).

After a survey conducted by the forest department, the highway authority instructed 5,580 trees in the non-forest areas and 2,273 inside two reserve forests to be cut down, as they are on National Highway land. The proposed East-West corridor touches the two reserve forests in Morigaon-Kholahat and Sunaikuchi.

?Most of these are fuel wood but the trees inside the reserve forest includes species like sechu, gomari and segun,? a source said.

Commuters who take the route will miss the picturesque drive ? an endless highway flanked by trees. ?Those who take the busy highway may soon find the area literally barren. The trees not only serve as natural sheds during summer but also enhance the beauty of the area. All this will soon be history,? said Kamal Baruah of Majpathari.

Nagaon divisional forest officer Aftabuddin Ahmed said five temporary depots have been established in Dharamtrul, Senchuwa, Pathari, Mothartoli and Sarupathar where the timber is being temporarily stacked till it is disposed of.

The officer, however, said two nurseries have been established by the forest department at Silchang and Kothiatoli and stress is being laid on plantation in the neighbouring areas with the help of local organisations, in a bid to arrest erosion.

?Plantation along the road will be possible only after construction of the highway is complete. There will be a massive plantation drive of fast-growing ornamental trees throughout the road,? he said.