Kolkata forest department responds swiftly to save kadam tree from illegal felling
KOLKATA: Environmental activists have hailed the prompt response of the state forest department in protecting a kadam tree that was being illegally felled in a school compound in Dum Dum's Bediapara after learning of the incident from a mail sent by a citizen to the range forest officer.
A woman from the neighbourhood spotted a few woodcutters axing the 50-ft tall tree on July 26 and stopped them. She then wrote to the range forest officer after the men could not furnish any approval to cut the tree. Acting on the complaint, the forest department inspected the site the following day and stopped any further harm to the tree.
"When I wrote to the forest department, it was a formality. I was skeptical. But seeing the prompt action, I and others in the locality have been encouraged.
Three ponds in the area are under threat. One has already been partially filled up and turned into a parking area for cars. We hope to take up the fight to save these water bodies next," she said, requesting anonymity fearing backlash from local netas and dadas.
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Bonani Kakkar of green activism group PUBLIC said the forest department's prompt response to the SOS from an ordinary citizen keen to preserve a tree was extremely heartening. "This will increase our belief in the system. People will know that a complaint will not be ignored but there will be a response. It will also encourage many more to fight against the destruction of greenery," she added.
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