6 days ago
More trees outside President's estate cut in Dehradun on eve of Environment Day
Dehradun: At least three more trees were felled outside Rashtrapati Ashiana, the President's estate, on Wednesday, just a day before World Environment Day, despite a protest last week over the cutting of a 100-year-old Toon tree near the estate.
Some officials claimed the trees were removed to clear space for a 9m-wide visitor entry gate being constructed as part of preparations to open the estate to the public on June 20.
The move has angered environmental activists, who pointed out that authorities had earlier assured them that no harm would come to the surrounding ecology when they raised concerns about the project disrupting one of Dehradun's last remaining green stretches.
The Toon tree was allegedly cut to make way for a foot overbridge (FOB), intended to connect the 186-year-old estate to a new parking lot being developed on defence land opposite the site.
Currently occupied by the President's Bodyguard (PBG) regiment of the Indian Army, the estate will offer visitors access to the main building, a museum on the PBG's 251-year history, an equestrian facility, and other amenities.
"One tree was felled earlier, three now.
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At least three more hang precariously by their roots along the boundary where drain work is being carried out. Many more are in the way of the entry gate and FOB, and we are afraid they will be lost too. From the ongoing work, it is clear that many trees are being cleared inside the estate as well, but we don't have any details on how many," said Ashish Garg, an environmentalist.
Public Works Department (PWD) officials maintained that "only two" trees were cut on Wednesday, one of which was already tilting.
"This was done for public safety. The action was taken with due permission from the forest department and executed by Van Nigam. These are the only trees that will be affected. The hanging trees will be secured once the drain work is complete. The department understands the value of green cover and has no intention of causing unnecessary damage," said a senior PWD official on condition of anonymity.
A TOI spot visit revealed two leftover stumps and another tree that was uprooted and removed.
However, eco-activists are not convinced by such assurances. "They assured us that no green cover would be lost. After the first tree was chopped, we protested, and PWD said that would be the only casualty. Now more are gone. How many more trees must we lose to unchecked infrastructure in Dehradun? Authorities are labelling even healthy trees as risky and chopping them," said Himanshu Arora from Citizens for Green Doon, a social organisation working to safeguard the Doon valley's green cover.
Dehradun residents are also questioning the rationale behind sacrificing green cover for tourism. "This is Sahastradhara Road all over again," said Garg, referring to the 2,000 trees which were removed to widen the road. Activists warn that road expansion, slip roads, drainage work, and even sidewalk concretisation threaten to further damage the remaining tree cover.
