The six-laning work on the National Highway-1 commenced in 2009 for which lakhs of trees were felled, but the Forest Department failed to ensure compensatory plantation on the stretch extending from Jalandhar to Panipat. This was revealed in a reply to a query filled by RTI activist advocate Rajesh Sharma. As per the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, the Forest Department has to ensure that 10 saplings are planted for each tree which is felled. But 7,90,016 trees were felled for the purpose and only 45,000 were planted to compensate the loss, which was very less, he said. Rajesh added that the felling of trees in such large numbers with poor compensatory plantation meant that the already polluted air of the state would get worse. He said the department also informed that the construction company had deposited Rs 2,32,78,600 for the plantation of tress and Rs 2,60,45,012 for the land. “The government allotted Rs 2,11,500 for the plantation but only 45,000 sapling were planted. This is a serious issue and the government has to take action against the department concerned,” he said. He alleged that the Forest Department was not serious about the compensatory plantation required for the felling of trees permitted by it. They should carry out the remaining plantation in the area. “The felling of trees to expand roads is clearly affecting the environment. We have to work towards preserving nature to reduce the effect of global warming,” Sharma said.