The Hindu 08.11.2013
Civic body protests tree-cutting
The Chennai Corporation on Thursday filed a complaint
with the police to identify and take action against those who chopped
down a massive avenue tree on B.B. Road in Vyasarpadi. This is the first
instance of such a complaint being lodged in the civic body’s current
council.
In its complaint, the Corporation noted that
the tree was chopped on Wednesday night, in what is possibly an
overnight operation.
The tree, measuring around 3
feet in diameter on the footpath, was removed without obtaining orders
from the Corporation Commissioner.
Residents in the area said the tree did not pose any risk to motorists or pedestrians.
“Some
persons have removed it at night without our knowledge. Police are yet
to identify the persons responsible,” a Corporation official said.
An
MTC bus conductor from the neighbourhood said: “The tree was very old
and in good shape. It was useful as it was large and offered a lot of
shade. I saw some persons cutting the tree down with a mechanical saw on
Wednesday around 11 p.m.”
“The tree was not in
dangerous condition,” said Kannan, a resident of the area. “We want
officials to take action against the persons concerned.” Rathinam, a
shopkeeper in the locality, said the tree was not a hindrance to
business.
Hasmuk and Co., a pawn shop, stands right behind where the tree stood until Wednesday.
Its
owner, Sunil, denied allegations that he was behind the removal of the
tree. “We did not remove the tree. We did not request the Chennai
Corporation to remove the tree either,” he said.
When
contacted on Thursday night, the councillor for ward 45, J.K. Irudhaya
Rani, said she was not aware of the felling of the tree.
“Our
officials will investigate. The residents did not request the removal
of the tree. I did not ask anyone to remove the tree,” she said.