Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, June 22

More than a month after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to look into felling of trees in Sangrur city and ensure remedial action against the “illegal” practice, the Sangrur divisional forest officer (DFO) started an inquiry on Tuesday.

Twentyseven fully grown trees were axed illegally on the Kali Devi temple road by PWD officials. We have all evidence to prove that trees were axed without any valid reason. Jasinder Sekhon, petitioner

Locals have been alleging that the Sangrur PWD was cutting trees between Phuara Chowk to Kali Mata Temple in the Patiala gate area without following due process.

“Twenty-seven fully grown trees were axed illegally on the Kali Devi temple road by PWD officials. Some senior politicians of the ruling party have been trying to justify the axing of trees to protect PWD officials with baseless excuses, but we have all evidence to prove that trees were axed without any valid reason,” said Jasinder Sekhon, who, through senior advocate Sanjeev Ralli and advocate Mohit Mudgal, had filed a petition in the NGT.

Sangrur, which was earlier known as the city of gardens, has seen axing of hundreds of trees in the last three years.

Khushwinder Singh, DFO, said he had summoned the executive officer of the Sangrur Nagar Council and the SDO of the PWD on June 23.

“We have started an inquiry on the directions of the NGT. We will conduct a detailed probe after recording the statements and ascertain whether trees are being axed in violation of norms,” he added.