Panchkula: Residents unite to protect trees, demand stringent action

The residents have also also written to Deputy Commissioner (DC), Dr Garima Mittal seeking action. “ We urge the administration to take some steps so that the other trees can be protected,” said Verma.

When questioned, Ved Prakash, District Forest Officer (Pinjore) said that no permission was sought from the department regarding cutting of trees. “We had received a complaint from the residents and a team has been sent to verify the matter. No person nor any organisation had taken permission for cutting trees. We are looking into the case,” he said.

Residents alleged that the trees were cut by the school management to prepare a playground for the students. Out of the 11 trees, there are only 9 left and the branches of other trees have been pruned. The school ground faces Nahan Kothi, which has been declared a heritage building by the Haryana government.

“Trees cannot be cut without prior permission from the Forest department, so we decided to complain the matter. At a time, when the government is urging residents to grow more trees, this incident calls for a strict action. We will not let them proceed with it,” said Sanjeev Kaushik, another resident.