Tree cutting resumes

The FO ATDC announced it would begin assisting the CPWD team in clearing the Crown path, including the cutting of trees, on 9th March in accordance with the authorization given by the Joint Commission as per the National Green tribunal directive. A number of men with chainsaws entered Darkali and began cutting trees, in spite of protests from some residents who the FO working groups claimed were obstructing the work. However, the RA WC and ATDC pointed out that the people who ‘obstructed’ the work were not the people who “have been holding up” development for decades, and that it was bound to meet with resistance as the vast majority of Aurovilians think that the Crown Road should pass through Darkali with a minimum of damage.

In fact, while the FO ATDC claimed that the work would be done in strict accordance with the report of the Joint Committee of the Green Tribunal, it was reported that trees were cut outside the width specified by the Joint Committee, and that up that 50 extra trees were unnecessarily cut. In all, it is reported that almost 200 trees were cut in Darkali.