234 trees felled due to safety concerns, says Srinagar college after public fury
Facing public outrage, the authorities of the 111yearold Amar Singh College here on Friday said the felling of 234 trees, including poplar avenue, was necessitated by “safety concerns posed by aged poplars”.
“During the 2014 floods, the institution remained immersed in water for a long duration of time. The trees started uprooting in minor windstorms and causing damage to the surrounding structures. Several grievances regarding safety and health concerns were received by the college administration during this period and are well documented in the college records,” a college spokesperson said in a statement.
The Hindu on Thursday reported about the poplar avenue being felled to the umbrage of the civil society, including architects, writers, college alumni, etc.
The college authorities also claimed that the community members living in the vicinity of the college “complained a number of times about the potential threat caused by these aged trees”.
“Typically, a poplar tree has a lifespan of around 50 years. The poplars on the avenue had already crossed the 60 years and were planted in 1965,” the spokesman said.
The spokesman said these factors “forced the institution to take this extraordinary measure”.
“We deeply appreciate the concerns expressed by civil society regarding the campus. We want to reassure everyone that we are fully committed to creating a green, sustainable, and safe environment for our students. The safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and visitors are our top priorities,” the statement said.
The college plans to start “a massive plantation drive of 500 conifer and other trees in the month of April”.
The college is establishing a micro forestclusters, within its campus to serve as vital “aeration lungs”, which contributes to improved air quality and environmental health on campus,” it added.
Typically, a poplar tree has a lifespan of around 50 years but the poplars on the avenue had already crossed 60 years
Alumni seek inquiry
Meanwhile, an alumni group of the college on Saturday wrote an open letter “to express their concern” and sought inquiry into the college’s move.
“It is to our utmost horror that we have witnessed the irreversible damage being inflicted upon these living monuments. The fact that this action was taken on World Arbor Day goes on to show the tonedeaf approach that the college administration has taken to such an important decision,” the alumni body said, in a joint statement.