Fallen trees at Sukhna raise eyebrows

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 7

Morning walkers at Sukhna Lake were caught by surprise on seeing several uprooted trees near the cycle track here yesterday.

According to the speculations, trees were axed, but Forest Department officials maintained that the trees fell due to the recent rain and mild storms.

The patch where the trees had fallen doesn’t belong to the UT Forest Department — it lies between the boundaries of Sukhna Lake and Chandigarh Golf Club.

“We have enquired into the matter and the area is not under the Forest Department. The site is near stair number 1 of Sukhna Lake,” said an official. He added: “It appears that these trees, mainly lacuna and paperwork, fell during the recent rain. The Horticulture Department officials just removed them to clear the cycle track.”

However, a few regular walkers said the trees were axed a long time ago. “There are some trees which were axed while many were pruned. The club (golf) workers were also putting wired fencing along the boundary which raises doubts over the claims that the tress fell overnight,” said Parmod, a resident. His friend who accompanies him to the nearby open exercise arena said: “There are chances that these trees must have fallen due to the rain, but how is it possible that only a particular area was affected?” said Anuj.