ALLAHABAD: The felling of trees in Kareli area on Wednesday under the pretext of anti-encroachment drive of Allahabad Municipal Corporation
evoked sharp criticism from residents. They rued that instead of
maintaining and plating more trees the corporation was indulging in
green tonsure in the area.

Speaking about AMC
apathy, senior medical officer Dr SAM Meesum said, “The greenery has
been ruined in Kareli area. The mass plantation done by citizens to make
the area green and pollution free on barren lands along the side of the
roads has been razed to grounds by the AMC.” The residents are also
annoyed that AMC and city planner
never discuss their project of development with the local residents. “A
good development is always by the locals but on the name of broadening
of road only destruction of greenery is in no way accepted,” said Shakeel Ahmad, a resident of Kareli.

Dr SAM Meesum said, “We are not against demolition drives but Allahabad
Municipal Corporation should also render its duty for protecting the
greenery of the city which is depleting fast.” He rued that there are
encroachments near the drains passing in the area but AMC does not
remove them.