Gurugram residents fear axing of trees in locality park

Gurugram, June 13 (IANS) The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) decision to build a Common Facility Centre (CFC) in a fully developed park in Sector 11 Model Town locality here has put the survival of around hundred fully grown trees and other still-growing trees in danger.

Earlier, in a bid to fight coronavirus, Gurugram authorities had come up with a plan to plant 7 lakh saplings across the district in this monsoon season.

Gurugram is one of the highly polluted cities of north India, with over 10 lakh vehicles and over 10,000 small and large industrial units.

Model Town Residents Welfare Association President Lokesh Agrawal said: “We developed this park at our own expense since there was no space available for recreational purpose in adjoining localities. Our campaign has been going on since September 2018 and the MCG had assured us on retaining the park. Now, no one is listening to our grievances on the setting up of the CFC in the park.

“Area residents use this park for morning and evening walks, yoga and by children to play. It is deplorable that the MCG is involved in anti-environmental activity.”

Another resident Thakur Grover said: “Basically, two municipal councillors have a role in the future destruction of this park. MCG officials have already uprooted growing peepal and banyan trees planted by former MCG Commissioner Dr Praveen Kumar. The MCG officials have done the mapping of the park and we believe that they will start axing the trees in a day or two.”

When contacted, MCG Commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh refused to comment on the matter despite several attempts.

–IANS

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