NGOs raise concern over felling of trees

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 28

The felling of Ashoka trees along a stretch on the Mall road last week has again raised concerns over the issue among various NGOs.

Raising an alarm over the dwindling green cover and protesting against the felling of trees, most of them have lost hopes of recovery of the green cover due to the ongoing BRTS project.

Indu Arora of Voice of Amritsar said: “The brutal attitude towards the green cover in the city has appalled me. I don’t think that any thought is being put into decisions taken by the administration to mull what is left of the green cover. Every stretch and road in the city is deprived of trees and dug up. We are heading towards a grim situation and soon we will pay a heavy price of neglecting the environment. Amritsar, as it is, has made a name infamously among the most polluted cities of the world.”

“Looks like the MC is hell bent on clearing out single trees left in city in the name of development. We had protested the day these trees were chopped off. Amritsar needs trees, as we are in a situation where every tree planted is a blessing. But instead, we are losing even the ones that are left. We have already discussed the matter with the DC and presented several memorandums on the issue, with a promise of developing a green belt to recover for the loss of the lost ones. But till now, nothing seems to be working,” said Deepak Babbar of Mission Aghaaz.

Rajesh Arora, a resident of the Mall road, said: “The stretch on both sides of the Mall road was among the few green areas of the city. It has suffered over the years with its most parts turning into parking lots and service lanes. Now, the BRTS project has become a cause for a massive loss of green cover in the city. One needs to think about it individually and as a community.”

“Whether its the BRTS project or encroachments, all these have led to loss of trees in the city. If the issue not addressed timely, we might face threats in the future,” said Isha Bhutani, another resident of the Mall road area.