Jharsuguda Road Widening: Admin Fells 8 Huge Trees Amid Stiff Peaceful Resistance By Locals

Nature lovers in the coal town of Belpahar in Jharsuguda district were in tears after the local administration felled eight huge decades-old trees near the Biju Pattnaik square for widening a road.

Following the announcement of the tree cutting drive, locals and tree lovers assembled under the trees on the stretch on Monday morning and urged the administration to refrain from felling the life-saving vegetation.

However, a reluctant administration went ahead with their job and felled all the eight huge trees which have been the landmark of the area since more than 50 years. Officials engaged in the drive faced stiff resistance and agitation from the locals who objected to the act vehemently terming it ‘cruelty’. In fact, the police had to move in and detain a few protesters in order to maintain law and order situation in the area.

One of the protesting youths from Belpahar said, “A private organisation based here wanted to cut these trees with the help of the local administration. We do not want to go against law and want to stop this cruel act at once peacefully.”

We also want development but not at the cost of these beautiful trees which are the lifeline of this small town. I am sure if the government had engaged a good engineer the road could have been built or widened without felling the trees,” he added.

An eerie silence descended in the areas surrounding otherwise busy Biju Pattnaik Square after the teary-eyed and dejected protesters left following the cutting of the trees.

Officials involved in the road widening project could not be contacted for reactions.