Shubharambh Advertising Company Operator Arrested For Cutting 562 Trees For Ads Visibility
Nagpur, India: In a shocking case of environmental destruction, Pratap Nagar police arrested Vishwajeet Sirsath, who runs an advertisement agency, along with five workers for their suspected role in the illegal cutting down of 562 trees in broad daylight. The trees, which were originally planted to beautify road dividers, were felled at Sirsath's request to improve visibility for advertising displays.
Police reports indicate that the large-scale tree cutting occurred on January 29 along the divider between Orange City Square and Pratap Nagar Square, as well as between Padole Square and Trimurti Nagar Square. The shocking act took both Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and Public Works Department (PWD) officials by surprise.
After the PWD filed a complaint, the police opened a case for theft, violation of the Environmental Protection Act, and damage to public property.
The motive behind the large scale tree cutting:
Investigations found that Sirsath, who owns Shubharambh Media, an outdoor advertising company, wanted to secure a contract from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to place advertising boards along the Orange City Square to Trimurti Nagar Square route. However, the Ashoka and palm trees on the divider were blocking the view of the boards.
To remove this obstacle, Sirsath is said to have hired five workers for ₹35,000 to cut down the trees.
The workers were unaware of the illegal work:
Between 1 pm and 3 pm, the five workers used tools to cut down the trees, not knowing what Sirsath was really planning. They were shocked when they were arrested, as they didn’t know the action was illegal.
The police are still investigating to see if others were involved in the incident. In the meantime, environmentalists and local residents have criticized the act, calling for severe action against those responsible for the careless destruction of urban greenery.
