Srinagar, Jan 19: Barely a fortnight after the authorities allowed chopping of six Chinars on the Parimpora highway, another majestic tree has fallen to axe at Isber Nishat on the City outskirts.
 The locals said the tree was chopped on war-footing adding that the land has been levelled to give an impression that no Chinar ever existed there.
 The chopping has drawn flak from various circles with people demanding a probe into the matter.
 “The Chinars are being chopped under a well planned conspiracy to deprive Kashmir of this centuries old legacy,” said Valley Citizens Council, Secretary General, Imdad Saki.
 Saki said even though the previous Divisional Commissioner had imposed a blanket ban on any cutting or pruning of the Chinars, the “authorities presently at the helm of affairs were acting mute to this violation.”
 He appealed the government to order probe into the matter and “expose the black-sheep behind this deep rooted conspiracy.”
 Saki, however, hailed VC Kashmir University Professor Riyaz Punjabi for his “historic decision” of conserving Naseem Bagh park as Chinar Heritage park.
 “The divisional administration should learn a lesson from Prof Punjabi on how planning is required to conserve Chinars,” Saki said.
 A senior official district administration said: “I will look into the matter tomorrow.”
“The divisional administration should learn a lesson from Prof Punjabi on how planning is required to conserve Chinars”

Lastupdate on : Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 IST