Illegal cutting of trees at Urban Estate leaves residents fuming : The Tribune India

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Illegal cutting of trees at Urban Estate leaves residents fuming

JALANDHAR: A cross-section of the Urban Estate residents has unanimously castigated the Jalandhar Development Authority (JDA) and the horticulture wing of the Municipal Corporation for indiscriminate cutting of trees at Urban Estate, Phase II, here, to pave way for the construction of commercial outlets, while the authorities concerned are unaware about what is going on in city.

Illegal cutting of trees at Urban Estate leaves residents fuming

The trees that were axed at Urban Estate, Phase II, in Jalandhar.



Avneet Kaur

Jalandhar, November 10

A cross-section of the Urban Estate residents has unanimously castigated the Jalandhar Development Authority (JDA) and the horticulture wing of the Municipal Corporation for indiscriminate cutting of trees at Urban Estate, Phase II, here, to pave way for the construction of commercial outlets, while the authorities concerned are unaware about what is going on in city.

They said the mindless destruction of trees, plants and shrubs to make space for constructing residential and commercial buildings had already played havoc with the ecosystem.

“Last evening, over 10 decade-old trees were chopped off by migrant workers at Urban Estate, Phase II. When I asked about the reason of cutting the trees from one of the persons present at the spot and under whose supervision the trees were being cut, he arrogantly answered that he belongs to some market association and he does not require any permission to cut down the trees, said Sukhjeet Singh, a commuter, who alleged that the authorities concerned were promoting the cutting of trees rather than putting a ban on it.

Sukhjeet said after having an heated argument with the person, he complained about the cutting of trees on the police helpline number as the person behind it failed to show required papers.

He said after a few minutes, police officials reached the spot and saved the other trees from being axed.

Meanwhile, residents of the area expressed that they strongly feel that on the one hand the pollution level in the city had touched alarming levels, on the other the green cover, virtually serving as lungs of the city, was being damaged with the supervisory staff of the horticulture wing closing its eyes to the harsh reality.

Also, with a city as congested with vehicles as Jalandhar, trees play a crucial role in its infrastructural make-up and sustainability, they added.

Another resident Mandeep Singh of Urban Estate, Phase II, said: “People are celebrating the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. However, they have forgotten the Guru’s message of protecting the environment. Though planting saplings for the future is a noble initiative, it does not make up for the magnificent trees that are being cut down today. It will take years for the saplings to grow into large trees, but we need to look out for the quality of life here and now.”

Meanwhile, Naveen Pal Singh, SHO, Division No. 7, confirmed that a call was received on the police helpline number and a PCR vehicle was rushed to the spot and trees were saved from being chopped off illegally.

He said no written complaint had been registered in the matter so far, but they had reported the matter to the department concerned.

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