Pune: Fully-grown trees hacked without permission in Kondhwa Budruk
Pune: Fully-grown, big trees have been axed without the permission of the administration at survey number 63 in Kondhwa Budruk. Environmentalists from the area and local residents alleged that the civic administration has ignored the hacking of trees.
The PMC Tree Authority’s permission is mandatory to cut trees within the city limits. Local residents complained that no such permission was sought before cutting the trees in Kondhwa Budruk. Citizens said that the trees were chopped to benefit a builder. It raised a question: Does not such cutting of trees amount to environmental degradation?
Big, fully-grown trees were standing in the space adjoining Rajgruhi Residency at survey number 63 in Kondhwa Budruk. Local residents complained that the trees were slaughtered for the benefit of the builder. They asked whether the Tree Authority’s permission was sought for the same. They alleged that the trees were hacked in the middle of the night to avoid detection. It also indicated that culprits had no fear of the law.
Pollution is increasing across the country and in the State. Hundreds of crores of rupees are spent every year on plantations. Still, some people cut trees without the permission of the administration. On the pretext of removing protruding branches, small and big trees are uprooted.
When contacted, officials from the Kondhwa-Yewalewadi Ward Office said, “We came to know about the hacking of trees yesterday afternoon. We conducted a panchnama after visiting the spot. We have also issued a notice to the people concerned and will lodge a complaint of cutting trees without permission.”
