Srinagar, Dec 7: The residents of Batpora, Zakura are up in arms against the authorities for chopping majestic Chinars there to pave way for construction of a building block at Govt High School Batpora.
 A delegation of locals, who in a Citizen Journalist initiative mailed pictures of the chopped Chinars depicting how the building foundation was being laid adjacent to roots of the centuries old trees, said the move was aimed to “slow poison the trees.”
 “Firstly the tree trunks have been chopped down and now the building is coming up too close to the Chinar roots only to kill these trees,” the residents said adding they would not allow the construction to continue.
 The Chief Education Officer, Muhammad Javed said the matter has come to his notice.
 “I have called meeting at the school tomorrow  at 11 AM to look into the matter,” the CEO told Greater Kashmir.
 Meanwhile, the locals have appealed Forest Minister Mian Altaf, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon and Commissioner Secretary Education, Naseema Lanker to look into the matter.
 They threatened to stage roadside protests should the government fail to take appropriate measures for Chinar conservation.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 7 Dec 2011 00:00:00 IST