CONCERN OVER LOSS OF TREES

International Year of Forests

In this International Year of Forests, just a few weeks after World Environment Day when so many young people so energetically expressed support for forests and trees at the Tercentennary Hall and when both the Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Education publicly expressed the Government's love of trees, trees have been wantonly cut down by private individuals, and others are threatened by Government projects, says the GONH's statement.

Adding that three areas have suffered from the chainsaw in recent weeks.  A large area of scrub near Admiral's place has been removed, allegedly to solve a problem with 'mosquitoes '.  This is nonsense, as mosquitoes are not attracted by scrub, but by static water.

Other areas have been cleared opposite the former Royal Naval Hospital at Europa Road, and along Naval Hospital Hill, and trees have also been removed recently in the area of Humphries Bungalows on the way to the Upper Rock above Engineer Road.  As far as we are aware, none of these instances have gone through the proper procedure, which the Government has established, and appear to have been carried out by individuals who have not bothered to seek permission.

Some years ago, following a proposal from GONHS, Government set up a system of tree assessment which has been working well for a number of years.

This is why GONHS is particularly concerned at alleged plans to fell numbers of mature trees in the city centre in order to make way for car parking.  While a constant increase in car parks is well recognised to not solve long term problems of traffic, GONHS is not objecting to the car parks, but is asking that the plans be altered to allow the trees to remain.  Not only are these pleasing to the eye, but they would also afford welcome shade to the car parks.  In the case of the Theatre Royal car park, the mature trees would provide the ideal opportunity for a recreational and play area in the shade of trees, almost unknown in the city centre.

Other areas where trees appear to be at risk from Government projects are Gardiner's Road and Engineer Lane.  In all cases many of the trees could be kept if plans were slightly altered.

GONHS appeals to private landowners to always use the correct procedures and seek authority for such actions, and to Government to lead by example, by keeping to its written policy and keeping the chainsaws away.