Gandhi kin appeal to CM, Aaditya to stop Sevagram tree felling

Nagpur: Six family members of Mahatma Gandhi, spanning over three generations, have appealed to the state government to stop felling of trees on ‘Bapu Kuti’ road between Wardha and Sevagram. PWD has felled 70 big trees and is in process of felling another 130 trees for widening the road.
“We the descendants of Kasturba and Mohandas Gandhi, write to you with folded hands to kindly use your good offices to order end to atrocity on the environment and act of brutal violence against trees on the road from Wardha to Sevagram,” they wrote.
The appeal comes a few days after Gandhi’s grandson Tushar Gandhi’s appeal went viral on social media. On Wednesday, Tushar’s father Arun, aunt Ela, his uncles Rajmohan & Gopal Krishna Gandhi, who lived at Sevagram with Gandhiji and Kasturba for several years in childhood days, and Tushar’s daughter Kasturi, a budding environment activist joined him.
All sent separate e-mails on Wednesday to chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, environment minister Aaditya Thackeray and user agency PWD to save the remaining trees.
“The reason being cited for felling is that road widening is required so it will make it easier for tourists to visit Bapu’s ashram at Sevagram. But a pilgrimage does not need to be made easy and there should be an element of penance,” the Gandhis said.
These trees were lovingly planted from the time Gandhiji lived at Sevagram. These particular trees were planted with a purpose that they would provide shade and shelter for visitors who arrived at Wardha and made the five mile trip to Sevagram by foot.
Ela Gandhi said, “I am a South African now. However, I am deeply concerned about environmental issues and particularly now when we are facing Covid-19 pandemic that has brought into sharp focus the need to conserve both our environment and water.”
“Trees are a source of water and it is important to do everything in our power to conserve as many trees as we can. Therefore, I write to you to ask whether it is not possible to save the trees,” she said.
Arun Gandhi said, “I am sorry that government has embarked on the modernization of Bapu’s monuments and destroying the last vestiges of Bapu’s wishes and teachings from the face of India. I had lived with Bapu at Sevagram in 1945-46 when I was 12 years. When Bapu acquired the land from Jamnalalji it was not only barren but was almost a desert. Today the world is suffering from the effects of years of abuse of environment. Future generations will curse us for destroying their future by wanton abuse of ecology.”
“I fully support Tushar Gandhi's efforts to protect the trees that form a precious part of that sacred environment in and around Wardha from where Mahatma Gandhi strengthened the movement for India's freedom,” said Rajmohan Gandhi.
Gopalkrishna Gandhi said, “In October-November 1913, when thousands of Indian South Africans commenced great satyagrahic march from Natal to the Transvaal, one of the codes laid by Gandhiji was no trees or plants be felled on the route. On decision to fell trees along Bapu Kuti road, I am reminded of Gandhiji's uncompromising code.”
“When such was the priority he accorded to trees in the height of a major public struggle, we can well imagine what his reaction would be to the information that trees are to be felled to facilitate travel to Sevagram. I would urge the authorities to be sensitive,” he said.
“As a great great granddaughter of MK Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi, I strongly feel erasing landscape's natural wealth, which people of the region have rightfully inherited, is fundamentally wrong. In the case of expansion of the highway, the opposite has happened,” remarked Kasturi Gandhi.
The most tragic part is that with mindful planning and collaboration with people of Wardha, several trees still can be saved. I appeal to all the authorities to please give this issue due attention and prepare a plan to remedy the injustice the people of Wardha have had to face during these difficult times, she said.