Jalandhar Urban Estate trees axed, no FIR registered yet: Green activists

A fortnight after several trees were lopped off at Urban Estate in Jalandhar, the police are yet to file a complaint on the issue.

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Jalandhar activists, who have been complaining to the MC, police and also the NGT regarding the indiscriminate cutting of trees on various areas of Jalandhar over the past one year, have rued the lack of police action.

On January 8, 33 trees had been allegedly axed in Urban Estate, Phase-2, by residents of the colony. Written complaints against three parties were filed by activists with the MC as well as police on January 10.

While the activists again approached the police, they said their complaints weren't registered, nor statements recorded. The police said inquiry in the case was on.

Actvist Tejaswi Minhas said, "The SDO of the MC's Horticulture Department had assured us that an FIR would be registered against the erring residents. We were awaiting that, but so far there has been no FIR."

Activist Dr Navneet Bhullar, who has been trying to get a case registered, said, “I have repeatedly visited the police station to give my statement and been told to come later.”

Rampant cutting of trees alleged

In September last year, 25 trees, many of them a century old, were axed on the compound of the Civil Hospital by the PWD to make way for the Critical Care Unit. The National Green Tribunal was also moved on the issue. On October 2, 2024, 30 trees were uprooted at P&T Colony in Jalandhar. On January 8, 33 trees were lopped off in Urban Estate, phase 2. Except the Civil Hospital trees, which were chopped to make way for a building aimed at public health service initiatives, there is no clear motive for the axing of the trees.

Rampant urbanisation in Jalandhar and the simultaneous depletion of groundwater is already a threat to Jalandhar.

Anu Palyal, SHO, Jalandhar, said, "We have received a complaint on the issue and an inquiry on the matter is going on. A complaint can be filed only after the inquiry is complete."

Gautam Jain, Commissioner, MC, Jalandhar, was unavailable for comment.