In Palampur, residents spend sleepless nights as hanging trees pose threat

Over a dozen families living in the state government pooled accommodation near Hotel T-Bud, Palampur, have been spending sleepless nights these days as a number of trees are dangerously hanging on the roofs of these houses and can collapse any time due to the weather. The families residing in these houses have already submitted a memorandum to Palampur SDM, MC Commissioner and Divisional Forest Officer several times, but no steps have been initiated to remove or cut the branches of these trees till date.

BK Sood, a local social activist, while talking to The Tribune said that he handed over a memorandum on behalf of the residents to the officials recently. However, no action had been taken yet. He said the DFO told him that since the power lies either with the SDM or the MC Commissioner for the removal of these trees, no action can be taken at his end. He added that he had also forwarded whatever application he had received to the SDM’s office.

In different parts of the town, dozens of hanging trees near Kapila Nursing Home, sabzi mandi, Thakurdwara, Maranda and local fire brigade station have become a hazard. While talking to The Tribune, residents said the Palampur administration had failed to initiate action for the removal of these trees. The Tribune has time and again highlighted the issue in these columns; however the local authorities turned a blind eye.

Ashish Sharma said the under Section 133, the SDM has the power to remove these dangerous trees posing threat to life. Only the SDM can order the axing of such trees. However, in municipal corporations, the power lies with the tree committee headed by the Urban Development Minister. It is a very lengthy process and needs many reports and information from the field. However, the SDM is the sole authority to take action for the cutting of these trees.

As per information gathered from the SDM’s office, they had not received the report of the joint action committee — comprising the SDM, tehsildar and DFO — constituted by the government to identify such trees. In the absence of the report, the SDM was helpless and couldn’t initiate action.

Palampur MC Mayor Gopal Nag also confirmed that the power to axe such hanging trees lies with the SDM only and the MC had already forwarded all the applications to the office.

Memorandum submitted

• The families residing in these houses have already submitted a memorandum to Palampur SDM, MC Commissioner and Divisional Forest Officer several times, but no steps have been initiated to remove or cut the branches of these trees till date
• In different parts of the town, dozens of hanging trees near Kapila Nursing Home, sabzi mandi, Thakurdwara, Maranda and local fire brigade station have become a hazard
• Palampur MC Mayor Gopal Nag also confirmed that the power to axe such hanging trees lies with the SDM only and the MC had already forwarded all the applications to the office