DAMAULI: Tree felling has commenced in the Chitwan section for the construction of the Damauli–Bharatpur 220 kV transmission line under the Tanahu Hydropower Project.

The clearance work was initiated following the receipt of official permission to fell trees within national and community forest areas.

Project Chief Shyamji Bhandari informed that the project secured the required clearance permits on 8 May. In accordance with the agreement signed with the Division Forest Office, Chitwan, operations concerning tree felling, timber collection, and secure storage are currently underway.

Community Forest User Groups commenced the felling and timber extraction tasks following an orientation session on safety and storage protocols. “The operations are being conducted in strict compliance with prescribed health, safety, and environmental standards,” Bhandari stated. He added that the project has provided financial assistance to the Community Forest User Groups to install fencing and CCTV cameras for the collection, secure storage, and management of the felled timber.

A total of 1,263 trees of various species are scheduled to be felled across several locations, including the Satanchuli Community Forest in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-1, as well as the Akaladevi and Siddhadevi community forests in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-29. Meanwhile, the marking and stamping of trees along the transmission line route in the Tanahun district are currently in progress.

Per the decision of the Government of Nepal’s Council of Ministers dated 5 December 2022, approval was granted to clear a total of 9,127 trees across 927,300 square meters of forest land spanning both Chitwan and Tanahun districts to facilitate the transmission line construction.

Under Package Three of the project, construction of the transmission line is being executed by KEC International Limited, India. Out of the 94 towers required along the 35-kilometre transmission line route, foundation work for 82 towers and the erection of 72 towers have been completed to date.

The overall physical progress of Package Three is reported to be at 81 percent.