Nallagandla people up in arms; mull legal recourse

Nallagandla: The residents of Nallagandla-Tellapur Road may take the legal recourse to stop the axing of trees if the roads & buildings department does not stop the cutting of trees, said members of Save Nallagandla Trees (SNT).

About 500 people including local residents, environmentalists and civil society activists formed a human chain in protest here on Sunday. Kajal Maheshwari, one of its active members, said, "The authorities need to come and discuss the road expansion plans and involve all stake holders.

We have better ideas and there is a need for a thorough analysis with urban planners." Echoing a similar sentiment, a local restaurateur, Bharat, said, "The officials have given an oral confirmation that they would not take up cutting of trees but if they do not relent we would have to take legal course."

On Sunday, several children shouting slogans braved the heat to walk along the stretch. As a symbolic gesture, children tied a protective thread around the other trees marked for felling.

The felling of trees started on November 8 under the supervision of a contractor appointed by the R&B department. The department has said the axing is in view of the proposed road widening project.

Immediate reactions from a few concerned individuals were not sufficient to stop the axing. Later, the efforts were streamlined through social media and soon activists came together and formed a collective called 'Save Nallagandla Trees.'

On Sunday, residents stood for more than five hours on road chanting slogans like, 'Save trees, save Nallagandla,' 'End carbon emission by 2030,' 'No Swachh Bharat without clean air.' They held up posters expressing value of trees in human life.

A poster held by a 5-year-old Ayasn read, "Dear tree cutting committee, don't cut my future." "I live 25 km from here in Langar Houz which has huge traffic. In comparison, Nalagandla area does not come anywhere close. Cutting down trees is insensible and not acceptable," said Tejaswi.