Tree pruning in Kurukshetra sparks ire

Mindless pruning of trees at a park in Sector 3, Kurukshetra, has sparked outrage among environmental activists and members of Green Earth Organisation, an NGO working in the field of environment, health, safety and sanitation. They have demanded strict action against those responsible for cutting tree crowns in an unscientific manner.

Dr Naresh Bhardwaj, executive member of Green Earth, said, “The crowns of 18 fully grown trees — including two Neem and one mulberry — along with around 10 smaller trees have been completely removed in the Sector 3 park. This is a violation of National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders, which clearly state that tree crowns cannot be removed by any person or agency. Such brutal cutting leads to the untimely death of trees. Even trimming must be done under expert supervision, but these directions are being ignored in Kurukshetra. Similar incidents of tree cutting from public land have occurred in the past.”

Highlighting the ecological impact, he said trees not only regulate temperature, provide clean air and control dust and noise pollution, but also serve as shelter for birds. “By cutting trees from the top, people are destroying bird habitats and inflicting irreparable damage on the environment. We have documented the violations and will file a complaint with the NGT to seek action against those responsible,” he added.

Jannayak Janta Party leader Yogesh Sharma alleged that the pruning was carried out on the directions of a local BJP leader. “Residents of Sector 3 informed me about the incident and upon inquiry, I found that BJP workers were behind this. While the government urges citizens to plant trees, its own members are destroying them unscientifically. We have decided to take legal action in this matter,” Sharma said.