Even trees fall victim to communal riots

vadodara: it happened in panchmahal.this week it was chhota udepur’s turn. environment has fallen victim torioters. with tribals rearing to go in for the kill, trees are being choppeddown in chhota udepur and surrounding regions with alarming frequency. for abouttwo months now, several perennial trees have been brought down and their logsused for blocking roads to obstruct the police from entering the area undersiege while the shoots and branches are used for making spears and occasionally,bows and arrows. ‘‘for tribals to use a tree log as a road block isa common tactic. they have done this in the past and continue to do so withimpunity. when we were attacked, our conclave had been blocked from both sideswith tree trunks,’’ district collector bhagyesh jha said. jha andformer district senior superintendent of police keshav kumar had to face avolley of arrows while they were on an inspection visit to kanwat.‘‘the focus currently is more on the loss of life and property butthe loss to environment should also be of concern. many trees have been broughtdown, which means reduction of green foliage and this is especially bothersomein summer with dry spell knocking at the door,’’ jha said. besideschhota udepur, the loss of trees is substantial in panvad and kanwat —areas which had come under tribal attack in the initial phase of rioting lastmonth. ‘‘they cut down trees, especially those growing on theroadside. chopping trees along the road is easier for them. if they chop treesin the interior areas they will have to employ extra labour to drag the logs upto the road,’’ said social worker and kanwat resident nilesh shah.he added that the tribals had scant respect for the environment. the policeconfirmed shah’s statement.‘‘they (tribals) don’t mindhacking people, looting and torching houses. one can’t expect them torespect environment. they chop trees because huge wooden-logs are an importantpart of their defence. besides, putting roadblocks also enables them to buytime,’’ said a police officer currently camping in chhota udepur.