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| MLA recommends pruning of branches; Tehsildar gets Chinar chopped off | | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, Feb 12: Taking illegal advantage of the recommendations of a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) who is also a senior Minister in State Cabinet regarding pruning of a Chinar tree several months back in Pohru village of B K Pora Tehsil of Budgam district, certain vested interests have lopped 80 % of the tree in connivance with the local Tehsildar.
Details available with Early Times reveal that people from Pohru village under the local Ahli Hadees Masjid Committee gave a representation to the local MLA Javaid Mustaffa Mir on August 1, 2017 wherein they prayed that an old chinar tree was posing threat to local population and people coming to Masjid at Sidiq Bhat Mohalla. They requested for trimming of branches, the MLA forwarded the case to DC Budgam with the request for cutting of branches. MLA Javaid Mustaffa who has been inducted as Cabinet Minister recently wrote to DC Budgam "Kindly get the braches cut as there is apprehension of loss of human life"
The ADC Budgam asked Tehsildar BK Pora for report. The Tehsildar in connivance with local timber mafia and some vested interests got 85 % of the tree axed and neither the ADC nor the DC Budgam were informed. Sources say that CMs Grievance cell has taken cognizance of this issue and have taken up the issue with Divisional Commissioner Kashmir who has assured them of stern action to be taken against Tehsildar , Naib Tehsildar and Patwari concerned. Sources say that another Chinar has been axed near Jamia Masjid Goripora Sanat Nagar few days back and no action has been taken against the culprits till date.
Chinar trees continue to be a casualty in Kashmir from last many years but Government is not coming up with a concrete policy to safeguard these heritage trees across Kashmir valley.
Pertinent to mention that a lofty Chinar trees located at famous Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) Srinagar were axed down after authorities gave the permission. Sources say that 150 year old Chinar tree was chopped off to enable road widening in the area.
Pertinent to mention that during August 2016 when Kashmir was under severe unrest , several Chinar trees were axed in Budgam district. Authorities of the area are yet to file formal FIR's against all those accused persons who were involved in cutting down several chinar and walnut trees in Budgam. As per reliable sources as many as 12 chinar trees and over 200 walnut trees were axed between July and October last year in Budgam district alone.
The authorities are unable to take action against the unscrupulous elements who are involved in axing of chinar and walnut trees across state. A green Chinar tree was axed down in August 2016 in village Shipora Magam in central Kashmir's Budgam district. As already reported one Ghulam Hyder Mir S/O Lassi Mir had allegedly axed a green chinar tree near his house at village Shipora in Magam. |
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