Members of the Mahanadi Banchao Andolan, nature lovers and environmentalists staged a demonstration here on Tuesday against the cutting down of trees for construction of MLA quarters.
Notably, a multistoried building for the residential purpose of MLAs is coming up at MLA Colony and trees over 50 years along the stretch from the Rabindra Mandap to the Commissionerate police office in the capital city are being cut off.
Holding placards and shouting slogans, the protestors demanded immediate stopping of the axing of trees. More than 200 trees have been felled so far while 600 more trees are to be cut to facilitate the construction of the building.
The agitators said while the temperatures are soaring in the capital city, more than 1,000 trees were destroyed during the Cyclone Fani. Axing of these 800 trees for the building would make life more unbearable and also decrease further water-level, said the environmentalists
“The decision of the State Government is against the environment and people of Bhubaneswar. We strongly condemn the decision. We will continue our protest and not allow the cutting of trees anymore,” said Mahanadi Banchao Andolan convener Sudarsan Das.
A day earlier, the outfit had lodged a complaint at the Kharavel Nagar police station for a probe to find out who has given permission to axe the trees and whether it is legal or not.
