Target: Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal
Goal: Protect hundreds of trees from a proposed development project along the historic Jessore Road.
The Supreme Court (SC) of India has decreed that hundreds of old trees adjacent to the India-Bangladesh border must be felled to make way for the construction of Railway Over Bridges (ROBs). A plea was made to the SC by the Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR), challenging an earlier decision by the Calcutta High Court (HC). Advocate Prashant Bhushan, on behalf of APDR, alleged that the project would imply the felling down of thousands of trees, and not only 356, as cited by the administration. Recorded in the O’Maley’s Gazette of 1912, these trees were planted around the year 1840 on both sides of Jessore Road. The Calcutta High Court had earlier designated an official inquiry on whether these trees could be granted heritage status. The officials conducted an extensive study and determined that these ancient trees meet all requirements of the West Bengal Tree Management Laws. The study accounted for all possible factors, including age, height, width, esthetics, the vastness of canopies, and the historical perspective.
A committee was previously appointed by the top court to recommend the best course of action. A report was submitted to the apex court three years back. The committee had concluded that bridges need to be constructed at the location to relieve congestion. However, the SC stated that the committee is unsure whether it is necessary to cut the trees to make space for the construction of ROBs. Nevertheless, the SC decreed that it upholds the previous HC order, prioritizing development projects over environmental concerns. The SC also cited the issue of the safety of citizens as the busy route has seen several accidents in the last few years.
Save Jessore Road Trees Committee, an activist group, demanded the state government grant heritage status to the century-old trees. The group suggested several alternative remedies to ensure that the trees don’t become traffic obstacles. They have argued that each tree is a source of life-saving oxygen to an average of 17 people. Other practical alternatives suggested by the group include increasing the number of compartments in local trains and the deployment of adequate traffic personnel to enforce road safety laws.
September on Jessore Road by Allen Ginsberg was published in The New York Times in the early seventies, dedicated to the Bangladesh Liberation War. Demand the state government grant heritage status to these mighty witnesses to the history of Jessore Road.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Chief Minister Banerjee,
The West Bengal State recently won a case in the Supreme Court to permit the cutting down of 356 historical trees lining both sides of Jessore Road.
However, officials designated earlier by the Calcutta High Court have recommended that these trees can be granted heritage status as per the West Bengal Tree Management Laws.
The SC has also noted that a committee appointed for this matter is unsure whether the trees need to be cut to facilitate the developmental works. Alternative measures, such as increasing local train capacity and deploying adequate traffic personnel at Jessore Road can be effective.
We demand the state government grant heritage status to these trees.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Biswarup Ganguly
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