Rights panel seeks report from MC over axing of trees

Ludhiana: Acting on a complaint filed by a city-based activist, the Punjab State Human Rights Commission has asked the MC commissioner to submit a report on the axing of around 20 trees across the city. The report is to be submitted before December 5.
Activist Kapil Arora said they had been flagging the issue of trees being axed at several places for some time. However, he said that since the MC took no action on their complaints except for writing to the area police official, they were left with no option but to approach the PSHRC. His complaint has been forwarded to the MC commissioner and a reply has been sought.
Arora said, “Clean air is our right but the way trees are being axed, we are being deprived of our rights. That is why I approached the human rights commission. If I do not get justice, then I will approach other authorities. The fight will continue.”
According to the complaint, trees were axed at Malhar Road, Kochar Market, BRS Nagar, Middha Chowk etc.
A few months ago, activists gathered at Middha Chowk to protest against civic authorities for not saving the remaining trees. They said that the city was already severely polluted and if trees were damaged, it would become difficult for future generations to survive.
MC officials claimed that they always take action in such cases and recommend FIR against people responsible for damage to the trees.