HYDERABAD: Residents of Meenakshi Trident Towers in Gachibowli were in for a rude shock when a bulldozer rolled in at 1.30am on Wednesday. When they stepped out to see what the commotion was all about, they realised trees adjacent to their compound wall were being felled indiscriminately. “They chopped about 15 to 20 trees at night. Could these trees not have been translocated?” asked Sumant Pinnamaneni, general secretary of Meenakshi Trident towers.
When questioned, the supervisor in-charge of the felling said that it was being done for a pipeline to be laid. The supervisor, however, could not produce the requisite documents showing permission for the chopping of trees. “The road connects several communities. It sees heavy traffic every day. The people chopping the trees were working in a private capacity. They must have felt their work would go unnoticed in the wee hours of the morning,” said Satish Vakati, president of the residents’ association
Speaking about the destruction of green cover in the are, Vakati said: “These were canopied trees which are rich in biodiversity. The workers said they would chop more trees in the coming days, even those right in front of our community.” Stating that residents must be given forewarning about such activities, one of the residents, Sandeep Ramkrishnan said: “The city already has minimal green spread. If trees are chopped as and when one pleases, there is no saving us.”
Tweeting about the incident, Uday Krishna of the Vata Foundation, which helps in translocation of trees, said: “Dark Secret: while bosses talk about increasing green cover.. the lieutenants destroy existing trees under the cover of darkness. Trees being cut illegally last night... Will translocation never be considered?” He confirmed that the trees cut were Gulmohars.
When contacted, forest officials said that no permission had been given for felling. “Our officers will inspect the site today (Wednesday) and confirm the legality,” said forest section officer for the area, Srikanth.
When questioned, the supervisor in-charge of the felling said that it was being done for a pipeline to be laid. The supervisor, however, could not produce the requisite documents showing permission for the chopping of trees. “The road connects several communities. It sees heavy traffic every day. The people chopping the trees were working in a private capacity. They must have felt their work would go unnoticed in the wee hours of the morning,” said Satish Vakati, president of the residents’ association
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The need of the hour is that more people to stand up and peacefully protest against those felling trees illegally. Once a large number of people demand that the trees next to their homes and offices are protected, governments will be forced to act against this green murder. While it is good that Telangana government has schemes like Haritha Haram, the point will be lost if prohibitive penalties are not imposed on those cutting trees indiscriminately.
Speaking about the destruction of green cover in the are, Vakati said: “These were canopied trees which are rich in biodiversity. The workers said they would chop more trees in the coming days, even those right in front of our community.” Stating that residents must be given forewarning about such activities, one of the residents, Sandeep Ramkrishnan said: “The city already has minimal green spread. If trees are chopped as and when one pleases, there is no saving us.”
Tweeting about the incident, Uday Krishna of the Vata Foundation, which helps in translocation of trees, said: “Dark Secret: while bosses talk about increasing green cover.. the lieutenants destroy existing trees under the cover of darkness. Trees being cut illegally last night... Will translocation never be considered?” He confirmed that the trees cut were Gulmohars.
When contacted, forest officials said that no permission had been given for felling. “Our officers will inspect the site today (Wednesday) and confirm the legality,” said forest section officer for the area, Srikanth.
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