Aerial survey to probe felling of trees for ‘kanwar’ route construction, directs NGT

It will determine the extent of the alleged loss of green cover in the last one year

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the surveyor general of India to conduct an aerial survey to determine the extent of the alleged loss of green cover in the last one year on a route being constructed for the pilgrims’ march during the “kanwar yatra” in Uttar Pradesh.

In an order dated October 4, a bench of NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted the submissions of the surveyor general, saying: “The Survey of India can conduct an aerial survey using UAV/drone to generate ortho-rectified images of the area to capture the present ground situation and to identify the extent of trees cut on both sides of the canal within 30 days and a report can be submitted before the tribunal.”

Orthorectification is the process of removing image distortions.