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Young voices raise heat over loss of cool shade
If you passed along Reid Avenue on Thursday you may have noticed a different kind of protest—a group of green-conscious youth holding placards against the felling of the majestic trees that have lined the road for so many years, giving much-wanted shade in addition to being so much a part of the familiar landscape of the city.
“We wanted to show that as citizens we reserve the right to our public property and therefore demand information about changes to its status,” Ramesh de Saram, a participant at the protest, said.
He said the group did not represent any organisation but consisted of concerned individuals who want the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and the Urban Development Authority (UDA) to make the preservation of the existing trees a priority in city planning. He said it was important that there was more co-ordination between these entities, so that information sharing, planning, re-planting could be carried out more efficiently.
“We want to create awareness among citizens and the relevant authorities that the public have access to information about what is being done with the felled trees. We would also like to know whether a tree is planted for every tree cut in an effort to retain the natural character of our city as much as possible. We would like to request that if the trees are sold through the Timber Corporation, the proceeds be used for tree planting/ root balling and other methods of protection,” he urged.
Meanwhile, Colombo Municipal Council Director of Engineering works Jayantha Guruge said the trees were cut primarily for the safety of the public. He said the trees had become unstable after the roots were removed to prevent further damage to concrete pipes and the sewer system.
The young protestors however charged that no moves were made to enlighten the residents of Colombo city about the reasons for cutting down these trees that they had come to love as part of their neighborhood, and common heritage and pride.
“Even if new trees are planted, it will take another 50-60years for them to grow enough to provide shade. Colombo will be burning hot for another 40 years. Anyone who drove down that road knew where they were even with their eyes closed. Now it’s all lost,” lamented Mr. de Saram.
The placards made of recycled paper, old newspapers, discarded print paper, cardboard boxes and tree bark carried slogans such as, ‘The tree that once stood here offered you cool shade from the heat’, ‘We Need Oxygen, Save the Trees’ and ‘We have the right to know’.
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