MP takes up proposed felling of banyan trees with dist admn

A day after The Tribune reported on the proposed axing of nearly 10 trees — including several decades-old banyan trees — to make way for a new tehsil office building in Samana, the issue has sparked widespread concern here.

Patiala Member of Parliament (MP) Dharamvira Gandhi has taken up the matter with the district administration, urging officials to explore alternatives that would protect the heritage trees.

The foundation of the project of the new office building in Samana, being undertaken by the Public Works Department (PWD), is expected to be inaugurated by the Chief Minister in the coming days.

However, environmentalists and local residents have expressed their strong opposition to the move, pointing out that some of the trees in question are estimated to be over 60 years old and form an integral part of Samana’s ecological and cultural identity.

Responding to the public outcry, Deputy Commissioner Preeti Yadav visited the proposed site today to assess the situation. “I have been told one tree is safe, and we are exploring options to save another. No tree has been cut so far,” she said, adding that she had sought a detailed report from the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in this regard.

The news report sparked a social media campaign, with environmentalists and green activists flooding the Chief Minister's office with emails, demanding his urgent intervention in the matter to save the trees.

Col Jasjit Singh Gill (retd), a former member of the State Task Force on the Buddha Dariya Rejuvenation Project, criticised the growing trend of cutting old trees in the name of development. “These trees, which should be designated as heritage trees due to their age, species and ecological value, were once untouchable even for firewood. But now, these are being felled to make way for buildings,” he said.

One of the reasons of attaining the grand old age was that these trees were planted inside the government premises.

“We have architects in Punjab who are more than capable of designing modern infrastructure around these trees. Development must not come at the cost of our green legacy,” Col Gill asserted.