Environmentalists raise alarm over govt’s virology lab plan

The Department of Science and Technology of the state government is planning to set up the “state-of-the-art” virology research centre on a 14-acre plot in the Charedi locality in Sector 28 of Gandhinagar.

Concerns are being raised over the cutting of trees on the green patch. Prakruti Raksha Abhiyan (PRA), an informal group of nature lovers of Gandhinagar, is leading the protest against the project on the ground as well as on social media. Last month, the group submitted a representation to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel with a copy to the portal of the Prime Minister’s Office, Environment and Forest Minister Mulu Bera, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and senior officials of government authorities. In its representation, the PRA stated that around 800 trees are going to be cut to build the biotechnical research laboratory.

“We are happy with Gandhinagar’s development. But, it does not look appropriate that the development gets done by destroying years-old trees. This development is proving to be perilous for future generations. Also, the feelings of the city’s nature lovers are being hurt intentionally,” the representation read.

It added, “In times when it is very difficult to plant and cultivate a tree, if a green cluster is cut… then it will create a big hole in the biodiversity. Why sacrifice biodiversity for biotechnology lab?”

The representation also stated that the Charedi locality is important from the biodiversity perspective, being a habitat for many bird species. It added that three colonies of birds have vanished following such developmental works in the city.

Stressing that such green clusters are vanishing, the PRA sought to shift the project to some other vacant government wasteland. The representation noted that such projects should be conceived only after carrying out scientific research on the flora and fauna of the concerned area.

The PRA has also done an estimation of birds at the site by collaborating with an experienced bird watcher — Sushila Rathod. During her site visit, Rathod sighted a total of 61 species of birds. She estimated the presence of thousands of parrots at the site. Rathod also noted various medicinal plants apart from trees, creepers, herbs and shrubs in the plot. However, Chandresh Kumar Shanadre, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Gandhinagar, said there are around 400 trees on the 14-acre plot. “But not all the trees will be cut. It will be decided as per the layout of the plan. The building will not be built on the entire 14-acre plot. And about the number of parrots, a survey is yet to be conducted. It looks like the roosting site and not the nesting site. Also, it is a non-forest area. It is neither protected forest nor reserve forest,” Shanadre said, adding that it all depends on the government if it decides to allot some other land for the project or not.

Principal Secretary (Department of Science and Technology) Mona Khandhar said the Gujarat and Central governments are jointly coming up with a “state-of-the-art” virology laboratory on the plot. “This laboratory will be only second to the National Institute of Virology in Pune. It is quite required considering the pandemic preparedness. Reputed experts are at work,” Khandhar said.

On concerns expressed by environmentalists and nature lovers, Khandhar said, “There are around 437 trees (on the plot) of which 114 are going to be affected. We are not going to cut those 114 trees but will replant most of them. We will also plant a similar number of trees. Other trees will stay and won’t be affected. Almost 75 per cent of trees will be retained as they are and 25 per cent will be replanted. We have taken this decision recently.”

Mehul Tuvar, who is among those leading the protest of PRA, said as per their sources, there are a total of around 800 trees on the plot. “Owing to various developmental projects, very few green clusters remain in Gandhinagar. When such a project comes up, the natural biodiversity will be disturbed inevitably. So, it is better if the authorities shift the project to some other plot of land which is not a green cluster,” said Tuvar.

“Due to such developmental projects, Gandhinagar city has lost at least four colonies of birds like the colony of crows behind New Sachivalay, a colony of bats near Central Library in Sector 17, a colony of peacocks in Sargasan and a colony of starling birds at Ch-0 Circle,” Tuvar added.

Meanwhile, the work on building the boundary wall on the plot has begun, but Tuvar and his group are hopeful that the government will listen to their concerns. However, PRA has yet to get any response from the state government.