Environmentalists' plea to authorities: Stop plan to cut big trees in Vadodara's green oasis

By A Representative
Several concerned citizens led by well-known Gujarat-based environmentalist Rohit Prajapati, in a letter to the Vadodara Municipal Commissioner, have sought the latter’s urgent intervention to stop destruction of the green area of Pratap Gunj area, where the Niranari Sangh sect activists have allegedly decided to go in for cutting several big trees.
The letter says that Plot No 31 in Pratap Gunj in the residential area between old Nataraj Cinema Hall and the University Road in Vadodara, is under the occupation of and was used by the Nirankari sect for its daily and weekly Satsang activities before the lockdown was enforced.
“We have come to know and suspect that the concerned leaders/committee of the Nirankari sect of Vadodara have decided to fell/ cut several big trees”, the letter complains, adding, “PratapGunj is one of the last few residential green oases. When the Nirankari people choose to fell/cut mature big trees, one big neem, one big bili and several other large aasopalav trees, this will set a very bad and perhaps an illegal precedent, encouraging others to engage in tree felling activities without qualm or fear of law.”
Others who have signed the letter include Chaitali Raval, Khyati Kharod, Keyur Kharod, Shishir R Raval, Rajlakshmi Sriraman, MC Sriraman, Dindayal Tuteja, Shashikanta Tuteja, Karn Vyas, Tanaya Ambadkar, and Sadanand Ambadkar. A copy of the letter has been sent to Aradhana Sahu, chief conservator of forests, Vadodara.

Comments

Unknown said…

In Vadodara , the example of cutting tree frequently is set up by the municipal authorities, in the name of Vikas, n for the expansion of the land n for petty reasons the locals cut tree in jiffy, without any fear of law as tree cutting is not an offense, the unrepairable loss is to the soil, ecology n eventually to humans. We need more awareness n to stop this madness n draw people out from the spell of destructive mentality

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