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Axing of trees raises eyebrows

Activists, Urban Estate Phase II residents write to authorities
Chopped trees at Urban Estate Phase II in Jalandhar.
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Activists and residents of Urban Estate Phase II have written to the MC Commissioner alleging axing of several trees on January 7-8.

In a complaint to the MC Commissioner on January 10, activist Tejaswi Minhas demanded action against a Residents Welfare Association at Urban Estate Phase II for allegedly cutting fully grown trees outside the Fountain Park.

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A complaint has also been mailed to the Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Chief Minister’s office and the District Forest Officer, Jalandhar.

The written complaint alleged: “Multiple green standing trees have been fully cut. The wood from these trees has been sold privately. Multiple old green trees have been lopped off with only a small section of the main trunk remaining.”

The complaint demands the “strictest of action against the perpetrator of this environmental crime” and registration of an FIR against those responsible for cutting and lopping off the trees. It also demanded that substitute trees be planted in place of the trees axed.

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Jagdish Chander, a retired banker, said, “We reached the site (a house) in Urban Estate Phase 1 on January 8 after being alerted about the axing of trees on their property. The owners defended their action. That was shocking.”

Jagdish Chander claimed that they counted a total of 40 trees which had been cut down to their trunk ends or branch stumps.

Rajinder Singh, member of the Bhai Kanhaiya ji Charitable Medical Society, expressed his angst saying, “One culprit states that she lopped off the trees as their leaves were never swept by the Municipal Corporation. The lack of awareness is shocking.”

Activist Dr Navneet Bhullar and Jagdish Chander took geo-tagged photos of the site. Written complaints have been made against three parties —- two private residents of Urban Estate Phase 2, and against the park management —- to the Municipal Corporation Jalandhar and local police station.

Dr Navneet Bhullar said, “We will follow up closely. We have also e-mailed the complaints with pictures to the Municipal Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Chief Minister’s office, and District Forest Officer, Jalandhar. The administration cannot get away with inaction. Trees are our lungs.”

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