Ahmedabad activists say it with flowers: Save trees, save environment

To spread the message of saving trees on Sanand-Nal Sarovar road, Manubhai Shah of Manav Seva Education and Charitable Trust of Ahmedabad led around 100 people to the forest department office in Sanand and distributed flowers among the officials there on Monday morning. Sarpanchs from various villages, including the sarpanch of Goraj, participated in it. Around 150 kg of flowers were used in the campaign. 

Shah said that they were not against development, but they were definitely against the felling of trees. “I am not saying a negative thing. Roads should be widened but only those trees that are in the way should be cut,” he said.

The group is also demanding that new trees should be planted in place of those cut and the forest department should be responsible for their maintenance.

The exact number of trees to be cut is being debated by both the sides. While officials have quoted 183 as the number, activists say it is roughly 500-600.

“The small number is being quoted to create an illusion,’’ said the activists.

D Parmar, range forest officer, said that he also believed that it was not a good idea to cut trees but as a government official he had to follow the orders from the above.

The department has received permission from the state government in this matter.

When asked about replacement of trees, Parmar said: “The proposal suggests plantation of 200 trees against the 183 trees. The proposal has been sent to the state government.”