Why are trees being decimated so ruthlessly and systematically all along the major thoroughfares of Kathmandu and why is there no protest at this wholesale massacre? I have seen a few letters to the editor but is this all we can do?

In my opinion, trees are felled if they are diseased, if they obstruct pedestrians and traffic, if they shed leaves and branches that can be a health hazard or if the roads needed to be widened to provide for smooth movement of the increasingly heavy traffic of the Valley. However, I am not sure that this is the case and even in the last case it should be possible to retain and incorporate the mature trees in the plans. Again, surely the road along Pulchok does not need to be widened at the expense of such beautiful trees? Such carnage would invoke wrath and immediate action from enraged citizens elsewhere in the world but here all we seem to be capable of is shaking our heads and wondering who got the contract for this wholesale slaughter and what was the price for receiving this contract? Most reputed schools in the Valley have environment clubs and I hope that the young members will take up the cause. The remaining trees need to be protected and new ones planted in the place of the ones slaughtered. There is no justification in destroying our green heritage to line pockets of fat contractors.

J Thapa,
Environment Committee (UNWO)