Pavement dwellers to the rescue of 14 trees

Activist Vinod Jain saves Kasba Peth trees as homeless people guard them at night

Activist Vinod Jain saves Kasba Peth trees as homeless people guard them at night

City-based environmental activist Vinod Jain received support from unexpected quarters during his protest against the loss of 14 trees in the city. Pavement dwellers joined him in his vigil to save 14 trees that might have gone under the axe to make way for a wide road near Surya hospital in Kasba Peth.u00a0 On Friday, Jain received information that the 14 trees including pipal, audunmbar, mango and jamun were marked with white oil paint which meant that the trees would be cut.

No way: The pavement dwellers in Kasba Peth show their support to save the trees

When Jain probed this matter further he was informed that some labours appointed by the contractor visited the spot in the morning to cut the auxiliary roots of these trees. According to Jain as there is ban on tree cutting, this was done to destabilise the trees resulting in their fan.

When Jain went to check the trees at night, about 12 pavement dwellers in Kasaba Peth spontaneously joined him to save the old trees. "Many a time, educated people do not understand why is there a need to save trees. These people not only offered me their gunny sacks which become their beds at night but also positioned themselves under each tree which was marked by oil paint," said Jain. "I was moved by their gesture and I salute their resolve when they said they will stand by me to save the trees. Suprisingly, the people whom we believe cut roots did not visit the spot on Saturday night" Jain kept contacting the PMC officials from the garden department.

No one responded to his calls according to him. Finally he called the Police Control Roomu00a0 after which the police officials rushed to the spot and informed the garden department about the issue.

Police Constable N S Dafale contacted Tree Officer Bhanudas Mane, who arrived at the spot on Saturday morning, ordered the work to be stopped.

When MiD DAY contacted Mane, his mobile phone was out of reach.