Residents oppose tree felling for proposed South Pavilion at Garware Stadium in Sambhajinagar

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Residents of Cidco have submitted a formal objection to the proposed removal of trees for the construction of a south pavilion at Garware Stadium, calling the premises a vital green space and oxygen hub for people.In a written representation made on Saturday and addressed to the commissioner of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC), the director of the garden department, the principal chief conservator of forests, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and the tree authority, the residents objected to a public notification published on Thursday in a local newspaper regarding the proposed tree felling.The residents said they regularly use the Garware stadium for morning walks and described the area as a green environment essential for the health of citizens. They strongly opposed the removal of several decades-old and fully grown trees for the proposed south pavilion, saying it would adversely affect the ecological balance of the area.In their objection, the residents said the north pavilion and west pavilion at the stadium were already constructed, but were not being fully or properly utilised. They questioned the need for constructing a new south pavilion when existing infrastructure could be developed, improved and beautified instead."The municipal corporation can develop and beautify the existing two pavilions instead of making a third at the cost of nature and ecological balance," said advocate Amitabh Singh.Echoing him, another resident, Suresh Todkar, said that felling trees for the new pavilion was unjustified.The signatories urged the authorities to reconsider the proposal and protect the existing trees at the stadium premises. They also requested that they be called for a public hearing in the matter before any final decision is taken. The objection letter was signed by multiple Cidco residents, with their names, addresses and mobile numbers provided as part of the submission.When contacted, civic body authorities confirmed receiving the objection and said that on Monday, a team led by a senior official would examine the spot in accordance with procedures related to tree-felling permissions and public objections.