Demand raised to roll back government notification on tree-cutting in Madhya Pradesh

BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh Van Adhikari/ Karmachari Sanyukta Morcha today demanded roll back of the Forest department's decision to free 53 species of trees, including those having religious and medicinal values, from the mandatory transit pass system.

The gazette notification to free the 53 species of trees grown privately from the mandatory free transit pass system was issued by state government on September 24.

"We have appealed to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to take back this notification as it will lead to chopping off large number of trees in the state against the Forest Conservation Rule and will not only reduce further the already depleting green cover, but also cause permanent damage to the environment," morcha's state coordinator Jaideep Singh Chouhan said in a release today.

Among the 53 species of trees included in the notification for cutting are 'Pipal' (Ficus religiosa), 'Bargad' (Banyan tree), 'Neem' (Azadirachta indica), 'Aam' (Mangifera indica), 'Kathal' (Artrocarpus Heterophyllus), 'Amrood' (Psidium Guava) 'Neembu', 'Santra' and 'Mausambi' (Citrus species).

The Pipal tree is not only important from religious point of view, but it also releases oxygen in the nature round -the-clock and despite that permission was given to chop it off, which will create problems for the future generations, he said.

Chouhan said after issuance of the notification in this regard, a rat race has begun in the state to cut these trees among vested interests and forest mafia and feared that it will lead to substantial reduction in the already depleting forest cover in the state.

"The coming generations will have to pay a heavy price for the sin of those who are in power today," he said and demanded from the Chief Minister to immediately take back the notification in the interest of environment.