Eight silver oaks were cut to a height of 15-20 feet, against HC orders

Eight silver oaks were cut to a height of 15-20 feet, against HC orders yesterday

In less than a week after the High Court issued a contempt of court notice to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Tree Authority for giving permission to cut tree branches in 273 properties between June 23 and July 15, against HC orders, eight silver oak trees were cut to a height of 15-20 feet in Prasanna Park at Shankarshet Road yesterday.

The case
On September 1, advocate Priten Killedar filed a contempt of court plea with the HC on behalf of environmental activists Deepak Vahikar and Vaibhav Gandhi. Justice Raju Mohite issued a notice to the Tree Authority and PMC to file their responses within two weeks.

The matter has been postponed to September 15.

Just a trim
PMC commissioner Mahesh Zagade and Deputy commissioner (Garden) Bhanudas Mane refused to comment claimed that they had not received any notice. "The PMC had only given permission to trim branches that were causing hindrance to the residents," said Mane.

Vahikar and Gandhi pointed out that this was an example of how permission to cut trees is given without scrutinising applications and confirming whether it is essential to cut the trees. "The trees have been cut to make them grow on an even height," they said.