BHU Orders Felling Of Around 200 Trees To Make Way For Colony. Development At Nature's Expense?
Banaras Hindu University BHU in Varanasi Uttar Pradesh has ordered felling of close to 200 trees some of which are more than 150 years old to make way for building a colony. A note circulated by the teaching and non-teaching staff who are against the move states that some of trees have already been cut.
The Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh has ordered felling of close to 200 trees, some of which are more than 150 years old, to make way for building a colony.
A note circulated by the teaching and non-teaching staff, who are against the move, states that some of trees have already been cut. They assert that there is enough vacant space for the development project and trees need not be cut.
¡°Banaras Hindu University is known for its greenery and preservation of trees that are over a decade old. The redevelopment project is in full swing and is bound to threaten the trees which provide fruits and shelter, apart from having vast medicinal properties. Razing these trees is a threat to the legacy of BHU.¡±
¡°So far, numerous trees have been cut, some of which are more than 150
years old. The construction of news multi-storeyed building will further
require cutting down of close to 200 trees, the orders for which have already
been given,¡± read the circular.
It further says that there is enough vacant space in the university and cutting of trees is not required. ¡°Despite, the trustee has chosen to cut down trees and not make use of the vacant land,¡± reads the circular.
The note reads there are many hostels which are not inhabited and yet they are not allotted.
The staff wants the trees to be declared a heritage property and must be taken care of.
The BHU campus is famous for its lush green campus in a city that has lost its green cover to urbanisation.
Plantation drives are carried out in BHU from time to time to maintain the green cover and also make the environment more environment-friendly.
