Srinagar, April 12, KNT: The cutting of decades-old mulberry trees along the Rawalpora–Bagh-e-Mehtab canal road in Srinagar outskirts has triggered concern among environmentalists and locals, who termed the act damaging to the region’s green cover.
The trees were felled during ongoing work to lay concrete tiles along the roadside, with locals stating that several mature trees, some estimated to be around 50 years old, were removed as part of the project.
The development has drawn sharp reactions, with environmental voices calling it a “criminal act” and urging authorities to immediately halt further tree cutting and investigate the decision behind the removal.
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Environmentalists said the issue reflects a broader concern over shrinking green spaces in Kashmir amid increasing urban development, where infrastructure projects often come at the cost of established trees.
“This is not just tree cutting; it is the loss of decades of natural growth that cannot be replaced,” a local resident told the news agency Kashmir News Trust.
Locals have appealed to the concerned MLA to intervene and ensure that such actions are stopped and accountability is fixed.
Netizens have also expressed concern, stating that while in many regions outside Kashmir roadside trees are preserved during development, in the Valley such projects are resulting in their removal. [KNT]
