Environment public hearing: Citizens object to mass tree-felling in GMCH

 

 

Citizens and environment activists who raised objection over the demand of felling of 294 trees for three different projects in Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) premises, opposed the mass tree felling during the environment public hearing that took place on Tuesday at the Garden Department of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). GMCH administration had raised the demand of mass tree-felling in its premises before the Garden Department for construction of a new girls hostel, paying ward, and also for the platinum jubilee function of GMCH in December this year. Very few objections were raised on the project, but the citizens expressly showed their concern towards the fate of the 294 trees in GMCH premises.

 

During the hearing, greens raised questions about why the age of the trees were not mentioned in the public hearing notice which is must as per the Urban Tree Act. If any tree is of age more than 50 years then the decision will be taken by State Level Tree Committee, but in this case the local tree authority published notice in newspapers,” said Kaustav Chatterjee, Founder, Green Vigil Foundation during the public hearing. Citizens also asked the garden department why this has been projected as three different projects when all are being executed in the same premises? If all three projects are considered together then the number of trees to be felled comes out to be 294, thus, as the number is more than 200, hence, the case needs to be referred to the State Level Committee. Swachh Nagpur, another city based NGO, objected to the cutting of 21 full grown trees just for a single day Platinum Jubilee programme of GMCH in December. The NGO requested to change the venue to some open space in order to avoid unnecessary felling of trees in the only green patch left in South West Nagpur.

 

Citizens also questioned the compensatory plantation plan against the proposed tree felling, they questioned why Medical College had not done the compensatory plantation when they knew such a huge number of trees were going to be cut for the said infrastructure development. According to the amended Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 2021, the local tree authority has to be careful about applications by project proponents seeking permission for felling of more than 200 trees. In case, a project requires felling of more than 200 trees then the proposal for permission will be sent by the local tree authority to the State Tree Committee. Violating the rule, the GMCH administration has sought permission from NMC to fell 294 trees at its premises," said Sachin Khobragade, former member, local tree committee to The Hitavada.