16.02.2012 18:51 Videos
Video: Tree felling resumes at landmark park in downtown Minsk
Tree removal resumed on Thursday at a landmark park at the center of Minsk despite a campaign launched by local residents.
Around 300 trees are to be felled in 40th October Anniversary Park to make way for the construction of Hotel Beijing, which is to be built by a Chinese investor.
Tree felling started on December 26, sparking outrage from local residents. On January 5, the operation was suspended.
"Today we noticed by sheer accident that tree felling had resumed," Iryna Sukhiy, chair of environmental group Ecodom, told BelaPAN. "More than a dozen trees have been cut, some trunks and boughs have already been taken away. And they promised to discuss the problem with the public, show a detailed design. This has not happened and we either get formal notices or nothing at all in reply to our letters."
Local resident Maryna added, "They have been felling trees in the park without saying a word in reply to our requests. Now the tree felling has been suspended but no one can say for how long."
Addressing his grandson, local resident Anatol said, "Big men don't understand that trees may not felled, they must be preserved."
When a BelaPAN reporter noted that the "big men promise to plant new ones," Anatol responded, "Yes, the men will plant them and in a hundred years they will grow as high as these ones. People planted them, this is the memory of our parents. I have already become a grandfather, I wanted the park to be left for my grandson. Now here will be Hotel Beijing instead."
The boy, Andrey, said that he would prefer a hotel to a park because "it's fun there."
An agreement whereby a Chinese company will build Hotel Beijing was signed during Mr. Lukashenka's visit to China in October 2010. Under it, at least $200 million is to be invested in the construction of the hotel, which is to be put into operation by the 2014 World Ice Hockey Championship in Minsk.
There are fears that the project will leave Minsk residents without the popular place, where many take walks, jog and exercise.
According to the public, 40th October Anniversary Park also has a historic importance as it hosted a parade by Belarusian guerilla units shortly after the liberation of Minsk from Nazi occupation in 1944.
Around 300 trees are to be felled in 40th October Anniversary Park to make way for the construction of Hotel Beijing, which is to be built by a Chinese investor.
Tree felling started on December 26, sparking outrage from local residents. On January 5, the operation was suspended.
"Today we noticed by sheer accident that tree felling had resumed," Iryna Sukhiy, chair of environmental group Ecodom, told BelaPAN. "More than a dozen trees have been cut, some trunks and boughs have already been taken away. And they promised to discuss the problem with the public, show a detailed design. This has not happened and we either get formal notices or nothing at all in reply to our letters."
Local resident Maryna added, "They have been felling trees in the park without saying a word in reply to our requests. Now the tree felling has been suspended but no one can say for how long."
Addressing his grandson, local resident Anatol said, "Big men don't understand that trees may not felled, they must be preserved."
When a BelaPAN reporter noted that the "big men promise to plant new ones," Anatol responded, "Yes, the men will plant them and in a hundred years they will grow as high as these ones. People planted them, this is the memory of our parents. I have already become a grandfather, I wanted the park to be left for my grandson. Now here will be Hotel Beijing instead."
The boy, Andrey, said that he would prefer a hotel to a park because "it's fun there."
An agreement whereby a Chinese company will build Hotel Beijing was signed during Mr. Lukashenka's visit to China in October 2010. Under it, at least $200 million is to be invested in the construction of the hotel, which is to be put into operation by the 2014 World Ice Hockey Championship in Minsk.
There are fears that the project will leave Minsk residents without the popular place, where many take walks, jog and exercise.
According to the public, 40th October Anniversary Park also has a historic importance as it hosted a parade by Belarusian guerilla units shortly after the liberation of Minsk from Nazi occupation in 1944.
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