It is in the true sense, disheartening news for the environmentalists and tree lovers in the city as the civic authority issued an order to cut 249 trees in the premises of National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) for construction of a parking area by Maha Metro. The Garden Department of NMC recently issued the notice calling out objections from the citizens about the tree felling within seven days. Enraged by the proposed large-scale loss of green cover in and around city, the environment activists raised objection against the tree felling and proposed an alternative site for construction of parking area for Maha Metro here on Wednesday. Maha Metro has planned to chop 249 trees inside the NEERI premises near the Ajni Square where they will construct a parking lot for passengers. However, environment activists urged Maha Metro that instead of using NEERI land, the agency must think to construct the parking lot over the nearby Nullah or the land where a small slum is situated near the square.
“The city has already lost a huge number of trees in the name of infrastructure development. Before implementing the project, Maha Metro should have thought about different options other than felling of trees. As nature lovers, we are raising our voice against this illogical move,” said Jaideep Das, former Honorary Wildlife Warden. There are 170 Subabool trees among those 249 trees inside the NEERI area which have no environmental use. We have plans to transplant remaining trees nearby area to save them from felling, Halve added. Nagpur city is already suffering from loss of green cover because of tremendous infrastructure development projects. NEERI premises are one of the dense green cover areas in the city which absorb the carbon emission at huge quantity.
