Anger among environmentalists as five 40-year-old trees felled for fire station

In Ward Number 14 of Rajkot Municipal Corporation, several dense trees, including five 40-year-old neem trees, have been cut down on the plot designated for a fire station and community hall at Vokla, situated between Vaniyawadi and Kothariya Colony. This incident has sparked widespread outrage in the entire area.

According to a report by Sandesh, leaders of the Kothariya Colony Youth Group and Master Society had previously submitted written representations to the Municipal Commissioner regarding this matter, but no response was provided. It has been alleged that despite proposals pending in the Standing Committee, the contractor carried out this work in collusion with Corporation officials. Upon learning of the incident, environmentalists reached the spot and halted the work. As the labourers were unable to produce any permission, a written complaint has also been lodged at the Bhaktinagar police station.

In protest against this illegal tree felling, a 'Besna' (sitting protest) has been organised on the same plot located on Vaniyawadi Bolbala Marg on Monday between 5 to 6 pm.

The neem is a tree of the Meliaceae family, commonly known as Neem. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia, but is now grown in tropical and subtropical regions across the world. Its fruits and seeds are a source of neem oil.