NGO’s efforts bear fruit, axing of 100-year-old tree stalled

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 25

The efforts of members of a local NGO, Voice of Amritsar, have borne fruit with the Punjab State Forest Development Corporation stalling a move to axe a century-old peepal tree on Mall Road.

Earlier, the tree had been sold to a private contractor for Rs 20,000. However, the members of the NGO had offered to pay the amount for not axing the tree.

The VOA ran an extensive online campaign against the act and tagged various local politicians, including the Mayor and the MLA, wherein they had to express their support and stop the tender from being executed.

Seenu Arora, president of the NGO, said, “It happened not only due to our efforts but city residents and many other organisations also supported the cause. In the past, when the BRTS corridor was being constructed hundreds of trees were axed along the Mall Road alone.” He said now the tree was being felled without any valid and logical reason.

Dr Rakesh Sharma, patron of the NGO, said, “The forest corporation has stalled the move and asked its officials to implement the orders. We have also pasted a copy of the orders on the tree itself so that nobody can claim that they were not aware.”

Meanwhile, the NGO also organised a tree plantation drive at the Punjab State Health and Family Welfare Training Institute here. Around 100 trees of different varieties were planted.

Dr Sushma Sondhi, principal of the institute, and other staff members were also present. The VOA organises a tree plantation drive every Sunday.