PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Concerned with Doon being denuded of green cover in the name of ‘development’, a large number of Doonites will participate in a Padyatra on March 1, from Dilaram Chowk to Centrio Mall in Dehradun. This is to dissuade the authorities from felling nearly 17 trees near Centrio Mall earmarked for the construction of a three-lane road.
A member of Citizens For Green Doon (CFGD), Himanshu Arora informed that they and many other social activists had intervened in 2024 when reports had come of the authorities planning to axe heritage trees in the name of widening the road at the said location. “We organised a Padyatra then and even met the chief minister. He assured us that no tree would be felled. Despite the CM’s assurance, preparations are again being made to fell those trees and so we have once again decided to take out the Padyatra to stall it,” he added.
He informed that sources said that it is almost imminent that nearly 17 trees are to be cut along the stretch from Kalidas to Centrio Mall in order to facilitate the construction of three additional lanes.
Further, the authorities have commenced drainage construction work at this site, which is allegedly weakening the roots of the trees standing in the area. “This is concerning us too,” he said, adding that a number of worried citizens and several groups, including CFGD and Dehradun Citizen Forum, would take part in the Padyatra which will start at 8:30 AM on the said date. “Importantly, it will be a silent march till Centrio Mall. There we will discuss the next step we should take to protect the heritage trees from being axed,” he added.
Arora also said that approximately 500 to 1,000 individuals are expected to participate in the Padyatra. “We have been suffering the ill effects of a development-propelled tree-felling spree. February has never been this warm in the past. He added that if the authorities decide to ignore us, we will take further action,” he averred.
