No action on mass felling of trees in Sangrur

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, September 14

Over one and half months after around 100 trees allegedly axed in the cremation ground of Dialgarh Jejiya village, the Rural Development and Panchayat Department has not taken any action despite repeated complaints by villagers.

“We have repeatedly met Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO), Dirba, seeking action against Jasanjeet Singh, Harwinder Singh and Harjinder Singh for axing around 100 trees at our cremation ground. They axed the trees with a JCB machine. We have also given him the required evidence but the BDPO is delaying action without any valid reason,” said Bahadur Singh, sarpanch of DIalgarh village.

Villagers along with panchayat members have submitted their complaints to the BDPO and other senior authorities. They have written that 100 trees were axed but the BDPO, after visiting the spot last month, had said only 40 trees were axed.

“The delay in action has earned a bad name for the Punjab Government which claims to have been taking steps to increase the green cover but its officers are not taking any action against persons who cut such a large number of trees,” said Satwant Singh, another villager.

When contacted, Dirba BDPO Sanjeev Kumar said he was conducting investigations.

“There is no delay on our part. Due to the election duty, we are not able to conclude our investigation. We will take appropriate action soon,” he said.