GUWAHATI, July 3 - The chopping of a number of trees inside the Assam Assembly (Janata Bhawan) complex at Dispur has irked Nature lovers of the city, who feel that the developmental works to be carried out in the area should have been done with a matching planning for avoiding felling of precious trees.
An environmental activist said that at a time when deforestation and loss of green cover was attaining disturbing dimensions, such an act on the part of the authorities was insensitive and was in stark contrast to the government�s so-called goal of a �Green Assam.�
�The trees have been chopped as part of a beautification project and to enable people to have a better view of the newly constructed Assembly building. This is shocking. Modern nations invariably modify their construction and developmental designs to protect trees,� the activist said, adding that it was also technologically possible to uproot trees and plant them at a different spot when absolutely necessary.
A source in the State PWD, however, said that the trees were cut to facilitate construction of the entry and exit gates and spaces and therefore it was unavoidable.
�We are equally concerned about the need to keep our greenery intact. Six to seven trees were felled for the purpose and in accordance with due procedure, including clearance by the Forest Department. To compensate the loss, we will also be planting a number of trees in the campus within a week,� the source said, adding that the PWD was undertaking a large-scale plantation drive across the State.
