In the dead of night, under the cover of darkness, two towering centuries-old trees were reportedly felled along the Siolim-Assagao road, sparking outrage among residents and environmentalists alike. These trees, which had stood tall for generations, were suddenly and callously reduced to mere stumps. This incident is a stark reminder of how vulnerable our natural heritage is to the forces of unchecked urbanisation and greed.
Trees, particularly those of significant age, are not just part of the ecosystem. They are living witnesses to history. Their loss is a loss of a vital piece of our natural heritage. Felling a mature tree is an irreversible act. While it takes decades, even centuries, for a tree to grow to such majestic heights, it takes only a few hours to bring it down. Every tree lost is a step towards losing the delicate balance that sustains life. In recent years, the need for road widening and urban development has been cited as a justification for the cutting down of trees. While road development is essential to support growing populations and traffic, it should never come at the expense of our environment. It also raises an important question of why trees are being cut down in the dead of night, far from the eyes of the community and in violation of environmental rules.
The timing suggests something far more sinister, an illegal action disguised under the pretext of road widening and development. There should be a complete and enforced ban on the cutting of trees after dark.
A legal framework should be put in place where anyone caught cutting trees at night, or without proper authorisation, faces imprisonment. In the absence of vigilance by authorities, it is crucial for residents to remain alert to tree-cutting activities, particularly after dusk. The fight for our environment is a fight for our future, and it starts with protecting the trees that have stood the test of time.
