Page 1 of 35
Report on tree felling in Auroville
over 3.79.497 sqm
1
10th January 2024 - Auroville
Page 2 of 35
Excessive clearing of understorey and tree felling following the stay on the National Green
Tribunal (NGT) judgment of 28th April 2022
The Auroville Foundation Office (AVFO) has been clearing an excessive amount of understorey and felling a large
number of trees following the stay on the NGT judgment that required proper planning to be prepared before any
further construction or tree felling could be undertaken in the Auroville project area.
Given the total area of roads that the AVFO plans to construct, Environmental Clearance under item 8 (b) EIA
notification 2006 would be required.
Furthermore, the width currently being cleared of understorey and trees exceeds the width as per the plans shared by
the AVFO / GB ATDC in many places (See “List of areas and roads Dec. 2023 as per AVFO / GB ATDC” )
The number of mature trees felled so far is over 1,000. (see report:
Brief overview of trees affected by ROW developments in Auroville dated 8th Jan 2024). Many of them have been left
in place, blocking roads and paths.
Of the 132+ species cleared, most fall under TDEF designation, and many are rare and endangered species, such as
Diospyros ebenum, Diospyros ferrea, Diospyros affinis, Drypetes sepiaria and Hildegardia populifolia. A considerable
oversight is the clearing of understorey in areas with high vegetation. This understorey consists primarily of naturally
regenerating native species that are important for the resilience of the local ecosystem, for stormwater management,
and to preserve biodiversity.
Many of the mature trees that have been felled in various area could easily have been integrated into the design of the
proposed roads. This would have had the overall advantage that the roads would be shaded, reducing the emergence
of heat islands in the planned city. This point is particularly highlighted by the tree felling executed by persons
employed by the AVFO of trees that were planted precisely as avenue trees along the existing Crown over 20 years
ago under the supervision of the planning department and chief architect Roger Anger, using funds obtained from the
European Union. The felling of these trees is particularly senseless, as not only had the road already been
constructed but the infrastructure, including streetlights, were also already laid in this section of the Crown. Any
additional infrastructural requirements could have easily been incorporated, without the need to remove these trees.
The felling of these trees seems a willful act of ignorance regarding the current global need to build cities while
retaining and preserving nature and trees wherever possible to avoid excessive urban heat islands and mitigating the
adverse effects of climate change.
2
Page 3 of 35
Furthermore, we would like to point out that:
1. The Master Plan - Perspective: 2025 does not qualify as a township plan, and cannot be implemented as such,
as it does not have the recognition of the Tamil Nadu planning authorities. Planning as per the TCPO in India
falls under the authority of the State.
2. It cannot be claimed that the city is being built as per the Master Plan - Perspective: 2025 if adjustments are
being made at will without going through the ratified community processes.
3. No detailed planning nor EIA and necessary studies have been made for these roads. The total square meters
of these proposed roads, calculated as per the list (with a width of 15m for radials, 16.7m for the Crown and
18m for the Ring road) comes to approximately 3.79.500 sqm, exceeding by far the 1.50.000 sqm limit as per
the EC requirements unter item 8(b) in the EIA notification 2006. Documented in this report, the actual width /
square meterage of what is being cut and cleared is far beyond this, often more than double to 3 times the
width. Nowhere in India can a project of this size be executed without prior EIA and Environmental Clearance.
4. No plans for any road adjustment have been submitted to the community for feedback and approval as per the
ratified community processes.
3
Page 4 of 35
4
Zones width length
Service area 1
Service area 2
Service area 3
Service area 4
Outer ring road
OR 1 18.0 3,319.7
OR 2 18.0 2,189.9
OR 3 18.0 462.8
Radials
R1 12.0 810.5
R2 12.0 751.4
R3 12.0 746.6
R4 12.0 684.7
R5 12.0 757.6
R6 12.0 626.8
R7 12.0 654.4
R8 12.0 638.0
R9 12.0 674.3
R10 12.0 676.2
R11 12.0 669.2
R12 12.0 604.3
Crown 16.7
List of areas and roads Dec. 2023 as per AVFO / GB ATDC Excerpt 123.a of the NGT judgment dated 28th april 2022
Page 5 of 35
5
Overview of the proposed roads and areas where clearing and tree cutting is being done
Page 6 of 35
6
Overview of the proposed roads and areas where clearing and tree cutting is being done
Page 7 of 35
Overview of clearing and tree cutting on the trajectory of the proposed Crown
Red line - Proposed
crown trajectory
Green line –
previously existing
road stretches along
Crown trajectory
Pink line – areas
where all understory
has been cleared and
the trees cut
Cyan line – area for
which the JC
submitted a report
Purple line – Avenue
trees felled on 4th
January 2024
Page 8 of 35
The clearing of understorey and tree felling - Crown south-east section.
8
The clearing of undergrowth and tree felling is in excess of the 16.7m was said to be needed. The cleaning of under growth is done
over a width of 30.8m instead of 16.7m as planned in some places the clearing is up to 47m wide and tree felling upto a width 26m
Page 9 of 35
Savitri Bhavan to Centre Field - clearing of undergrowth and tree felling along the proposed Crown -
south-east section.
9
The clearing of undergrowth and tree felling is in excess of the 16.7m was said to be needed. The cleaning of under growth is done
over a width of XX m and tree felling upto a width 26m
Page 10 of 35
Excessive clearing of undergrowth and tree felling - Crown south-east section - Savitri Bhavan to
Centre Field
10
On the stretch from Savitri Bhavan to Centre Field measurement were taken to highlight the clearing of undergrowth and tree felling
in excess of the 16.7m claimed to be needed. The cleaning of undergrowth, that consists of local and many rare evergreen species
in some places is more than 47m thus a full 30m more than required for the road, infrastructure, cycle paths and pedestrian
walkways. Trees felling was done in several stretches up to 26, wide. It must be mentioned that the 16.7m for the Right Of Way
(ROW) includes a corridor for avenue trees on both sides. It is therefore raises the very pertinent question of why mature or 10 - 15
year old TDEF trees needed to be felled, rather than incorporating the existing trees into the new design of the road. If a proper EIA
study had been conducted and its finding integrated into the design of the proposed road much of the damage could have been
mitigated and the loss of rare and precious trees minimised.
Page 11 of 35
11
Excessive clearing of undergrowth and tree felling - Crown south-east section - Savitri Bhavan to
Centre Field
Many of the mature trees that
have been felled could have
been integrated into the design
of the road, without any
compromise to the city plan and
would have provided shade as
avenue trees as well as helped
to retain the sensitive ecological
system that has established
itself over the past decades.
If a proper EIA had been
conducted as prescribed the
detrimental ecological effect
could have been greatly
reduced.
The clearing of undergrowth and tree
felling is far more than the 16.7m which
was said to be needed for the width of the
proposed crown. The cleaning of
understorey here is over 47m, thus more
than 30m more than required.
Page 12 of 35
12
Excessive clearing of undergrowth and tree felling - Crown south-east section - Savitri Bhavan to
Centre Field
Page 13 of 35
13
Crown with avenue trees planted in 2002 and paved in 2012 verses rebuilt in 2023 - avenue trees
felled on 4th January 2024.
The existing road, constructed in 2012 was almost entirely shaded,
reducing the heat on the road and for the surrounding buildings
The rebuilt road, constructed in 2023 with and without
the avenue trees. The heat on the road and for the
surrounding buildings will increase dramatically.
Page 14 of 35
The Crown - existing road from Solar kitchen to Mahalakshmi home
14
The unnecessary felling of over 20 year old avenue trees executed by persons employed by the AVFO. These trees that were
planted as avenue trees, along the then still to be built crown, over 20 years ago under the supervision of the planning office and the
chief architect mr. Roger Anger. Felling these trees is particularly senseless as, not only has the road has already been constructed
but also the infrastructure, including street lights is already laid in this section of the crown.
Page 15 of 35
15
The over 20 year old avenue trees along the existing Crown felled on 4th january 2024
Page 16 of 35
16
The over 20 year old avenue trees along the existing Crown felled on 4th january 2024
Page 17 of 35
Lack of proper planning leading to loss of urban potancial urban forest and biodiversity
17
On this short stretch of less than 150m, on one of the proposed radials there are over 400 trees of various size, age and species
already cleared or about to be cleared. This small urban forest is one of the hotspots for biodiversity and will be essential in the
future city as it lies in the heart of what will one day be a high-density residential area. Given the fact that there is an almost vacant
land in close proximity to this urban forest it shows that only a little adjustment would be needed to greatly reduce the detrimental
impact of this road. And therewith retain essential green areas for the future generations and the city as it grows. Rare species
such as Diospyros affinis, Diospyros ebenum, Diospyros ferrea, Diospyros ferrea var. buxifolia, which are all slow growing with a
lifespan of hundreds of years. While the road may only be a part of this small forest, cutting a over 30m path right through the
middle will undoubtedly disrupt the natural ecosystem of such a forest.
Page 18 of 35
Mangalam radial - Massive destruction of understory, in a water sensitive and important recharge area
for the aquifer .
18
The clearing of undergrowth and tree felling
in a water sensitive area between to
waterways. The proposed trajectory of this
road does not respect the recommended
25m bufferzone on either side of a natural
water way, and in fact goes through on of the
waterways in part. Furthermore the area
currently being cleared is not as previously
proposed. The width currently being cleared
of trees and understory far exceeds the 12m
or 18m as said to be needed.
Page 19 of 35
Revelation forest - the accuracy of the area cleared shows that there is a lack of proper planning and
coordination in the work currently being executed. Leading to much unnecessary damage to the
ecology of the Mahakali park, that falls inside the revelation forest, one of the green lungs and
biodiversity hotspots of Auroville.
19
The trajectory of this radial
has been moved to the
extent that now houses are
in the path of or very close
to the radial. furthermore
there is a provision for an
existing road in close
proximity to the path that
was cleared. A proper
study here would have
undoubtedly recognised
that the new position of the
road will be detrimental to
the established ecosystem
of the area.
Page 20 of 35
20
Revelation forest
Indiscriminate tree felling in an area that is
designated as a park, despite there being an
existing network of paths throughout.
Page 21 of 35
Centre Field toward Solar Kitchen
21
These mature trees that were
planted as avenue trees outside the
proposed road trajectory are now
being felled, without and
consultation or respect for previous
plans. These trees, like so many
others could have been integrated
into the design if proper planning,
with and EIA and EC and due
processes had been followed.
Before After - Palmyras and avenue trees felled
Before After - large Kaya felled
Page 22 of 35
Centre Guest house entrance and toward Solar Kitchen
22
This stretch of Crown already
had a well established and well
shaded cycle and footpath,
which provided needed
connectivity while keeping out
motorized traffic. Thus catering
to the needs of the residents
and encouraging cycling and
walking. Without the trees to
provide shade, the wide road
will discourage cycling and
walking as has been well
studied and recognised
globally.
An excessive width is being cleared of all trees and undergrowth.
Page 23 of 35
Centre Field toward Solar Kitchen
23
Giant Kaya tree - with a diameter of over 1 meter - needlessly felled, again this tree could have been integrated into the design
if proper planning, with and EIA and EC and due processes had been followed. Furthermore, the position of the road does not
align with the previously agreed trajectory and therefore now many trees that were neatly planted outside the proposed road
trajectory as avenue tree to provide shade for the roads are being felled without and consultation or respect for previous plans.
Without the trees to provide shade, the wide road will discourage cycling and walking as has been well studied and recognised
globally.
Page 24 of 35
Water logging along crown and other areas in the city
24
Photos above taken 7th january 2024
Photos on right of bund
being constructed to hold
the water of a future
planned lake. This bund is
being constructed without
any prior studies on water
pressure build up in
extreme weather event and
in fact without any
engineering or civil
calculations to ensure that it
does not collapse which
would cause major flooding
in the villages of Kottakarai
and Barathipuram
downstream to the west.
water accumulated after one night of rain
on 7th january 2024
Page 25 of 35
water flow in waterways that will be increased many fold by the proposed radial and ring road which will
lead to flooding if the planning of the city does not take these facts into consideration.
25
Photos left and bottom
taken 7th january 2024
Photo above 18th december 2023
Page 26 of 35
26
Existing road with recently planted avenue trees, High Tension and Low
tension electrical infrastructure, sewage, portable water, treated
wastewater return pipes, OFC and copper telephone cables laid along
this road coordinated by the then planning office and infrastructure
groups.
Vikas radial existing road with avenue trees that are threatened to be felled
Page 27 of 35
Vikas radial trees that would have been potential avenue trees felled
27
Over 40 mature trees cut on a stretch of 130m many of these trees could have been integrated into the design if proper
planning, with and EIA and EC and due processes had been followed. Furthermore, the position of the road does not align
with the previously agreed trajectory and therefore now goes directly over the Auroville Dewats / wastewater treatment plan.
Page 28 of 35
End of the Vikas radial potential avenue trees felled towards the Auroville wastewater treatment plant
28
existing sewage manhole, in the middle of the changed road
trajectory
generator room of Auroville wastewater treatment plant
Page 29 of 35
Areas where there are no roads planned - between Humility and Creativity
29
area being cleared
Page 30 of 35
Areas where there are no roads planned - between Humility and Creativity
30
area being cleared
Page 31 of 35
Road parallel to an existing road - southern city area
31
area being cleared
existing tar
road
Page 32 of 35
Southern Service area, massive tree felling and understory clearing
32
area being cleared
Page 33 of 35
Southern Service area, massive tree felling and understory clearing
33
area being cleared
Page 34 of 35
Kriya community and Auzolan - Southern ring area
34
area
marked to
be cleared
for the
proposed
ring road
survey
markers
Kriya community was built on the inner edge of the proposed ring road to protect the Auroville lands against encroachment in
anticipation of the Residential zone future development. The Trajectory of the ring road has apparently been moved - without
any intimation to the residents - and will now go over houses in the community.
Page 35 of 35
10th January 2024 - Auroville
35