Morung Express News
August 26
Jalukie: Major Tree Felling Operations initiated by Jalukie Town Council (JTC) is drawing criticism from ecologically conscious people of the area, as hundreds of trees are being cut down every day. This major deforestation operation is being launched by JTC on the pretext of cutting down older trees to replenish the area with new plantation. However, some people are of the view that felling of trees on such a large scale will disrupt the ecology. The deforestation will also affect the landscape and the picturesque of the town and surrounding vicinities.
It is learnt that the trees, which was now well over 20 years and above, was planted by the forest department in late the 70s and 80s with the participation of the public. Even as the felling continues, the effects are becoming obvious especially with school students who have to walk for kilometers under the scorching heat of the sun with no protection. These trees had once provided protection and cover from the scorching sun for pedestrians.
Many of the people, who met this correspondent, have commented that felling of trees as such a large scale has contributed to the irregular power supply and disruption of telephone connections due to snapping of main line. There is a growing feeling that the unscrupulous felling of old trees may bring about permanent damages to the already disturbed environment of the area and will contribute towards increase in landslides during the monsoons.
