The two-year-old battle between a 70-year-old resident and the UT Administration over cutting a few trees seems to have no immediate end.

In its reply in the case, which is in the High Court now, the Administration has flatly refused to cut down the trees, negating the claims of D S Ahluwalia that the trees pose a threat to his house.

“After inspecting the site, it was found that the trees in question are existing within the premises of the Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 10-A, and are quite at a distance that is about 10 feet from the boundary wall of the school,” the affidavit submitted by the Administration reads.

“Moreover, these are green trees and the age of these trees varies from 20 to 25 years. During the visit of the Adviser to the Administrator, it was found that none of these trees is damaging the building of the petitioner in any manner.”

The trees in question are eight Safeda (eucalyptus) and one Mulberry tree in the GMSS, Sector 10-A. The side wall of Ahluwalia’s house adjoins the school.

The Administration said the site was inspected by the Adviser to the Administrator along with Harjit Singh, Executive Engineer, Horticulture Department, and other concerned officials of the Horticulture Wing of the Engineering Department.

“One branch of a Safeda tree was bending towards the house of the petitioner and as per orders of the competent authority i.e Adviser to the Administrator, the said branch has already been cut down,” the affidavit reads. “However, keeping in view the site conditions, since apparently none of the trees is posing any threat or damage to the house of the petitioner, as such, the competent authority has rejected the request of the petitioner regarding removal of said trees.”

... contd.