Cut trees only when project development is stuck: Gadkari

Stressing the need for protecting the environment, Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said trees should be cut only when the development of a project gets stuck.

He also said that a person should be made to plant 10 trees for every tree cut by him/her.

His remarks came at a time when environmentalists have been opposing the proposed felling of over 2,600 trees in the Aarey suburban area to make way for a Metro car shed.

Several Bollywood personalities and politicians have extended their support to citizens opposing axing of a large number of trees in a sprawling green belt here.

"I feel we should protect the environment and should touch the trees only when development of a project is stuck," Gadkari told reporters here.

Speaking on the Aarey issue, he said, "The government has given priority to tree plantation. Maharashtra has been allocated Rs 12,000 crore to Rs 13,000 crore from a fund."