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200 trees axed in Gurgaon park Gurgaon, April 13 The trees, which have been axed, stand in a public park — as shown in the original lay-out plan/map of the colony, falling between Block D and Block E (South City-I). The Managing Director of UNITECH was not accessible for comments on the development. However, his office made it known that the details could be had from its media consultant. The media consultant (a hired PR agency), expressed ignorance about the felling of trees. He also took the stand that the stretch where the trees stood was not a park but a commercial site. The residents of surrounding areas expressed shock at the destruction of trees. On the strength of the documents they hold on to the view that it is a public park. A resident of nearby South City White Heights apartments alleges that the coloniser company has been giving two hoots to the protection of environment in the past two years. In fact, the coloniser company has already encroached upon a part of the park by extending its Country Club into the park area. Also it segregated a part of the park land to set up “Jade Garden”, which is being rented for marriage and other parties to any one who can shell Rs 50, 000 per night. In effect, the park has been converted into a commercial site. Although the felling of trees has been taking place for the past fortnight, the residents of the areas came to know about it only yesterday as the thick foliage in the area started thinning and things became apparent. Notably, even though the area is a public park, the residents are virtually not allowed to enter it. When this correspondent reached the site, he was confronted with hostile labourers. However, they confirmed that the felling of trees had been going on for the past fortnight and the idea was to clear all the trees and greeneries from the park, measuring about 10 acres. According to them, there were 400 trees, including the ones already felled. While some were about 10 years old, many were more than 20 years old. However, if all the trees, saplings and smaller trees are taken into account the number could be somewhere around 3, 000. They further said that the entire areas would be cleared by the end of this month. They said some construction would take place on the land, but were unable to say what kind of construction it would be. About 40 peacocks, who had made the park their abode, have suddenly vanished. The residents of the area say apart from assault on the environment, the UNITECH management is breaching the contractual agreement with them. Some of them had paid extra money in the form of “preferential charges” for preferential locations.  |
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