Complaint to Punjab CM against felling of 100 trees by NGO

Jalandhar social and environmental activist Tejaswi Minhas has written to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, complaining against the alleged illegal felling of trees on the Jalandhar bypass. On behalf of the NGO AGAPP, Minhas has raised concerns over the cutting of 100 trees at the site. He has also demanded an FIR against those who got the trees cut.

Activists of the AGAPP also held a protest on Tuesday.

While amid rampant deforestation and conversion of ever newer areas to residential and commercial sites, the AGAPP has repeatedly spoken out against incessant felling of trees in Jalandhar on various sites, including the Civil Hospital, various residential colonies, etc.

Tejaswi said, "Around 100 trees were cut illegally on the night of September 28 and 29. These are planted along the Jalandhar Cantt Bypass Road, Opposite Haveli Organic Farm. These trees were planted by the Horticulture Department and a major plantation drive in this area was done by Baba Sewa Singh of Khadoor Sahib. These were healthy trees. Some of these were around 20-30 year-old."

Minhas has alleged that the cutting of the trees was ordered by the owner of a private mall in Jalandhar.

A protest was organised at the site by environmentalists of the city, who mourned the loss of these trees and demanded strict action against the coloniser and re-planting of saplings at the same spot. Apart from the CM, a complaint has also been filed with the DC-Jalandhar, DIG and the PWD by Minhas.