Ropar :
The alleged illegal felling of a century-old banyan tree along with several fruit-bearing trees at the post office building in Nangal has triggered widespread outrage among residents and environmental activists. The incident is being viewed as a violation of the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s ban on cutting green and dry trees across the state.
The trees, reportedly more than 50 years old, stood on government land owned by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). Following the incident, a blame game has erupted between BBMB and the Punjab Forest Department, with both sides shifting responsibility.
BBMB Executive Engineer Surinder Dhiman said that the board is writing to forest officials to initiate action under the Forest Act against those responsible. However, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Kanwardeep Singh maintained that the land does not fall under forest jurisdiction and that BBMB authorities should take appropriate action.
Environmental activists have strongly condemned the incident, alleging administrative negligence. Activist Prabhat Bhatti stated that banyan trees are protected species and cannot be felled without prior permission from competent authorities.
Sources further revealed that a post office official allegedly ordered the cutting without obtaining mandatory clearance, intensifying public anger and demands for accountability.
Local residents have called for criminal cases against those involved, including responsible officials, and urged the state government to intervene. They have also demanded immediate measures to safeguard remaining trees and strengthen enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with court directives and environmental laws.
