Billboards instead of trees

The Homel authorities cut trees in the city centre to install billboards.

Charter97.org has learnt it from a reader.

“There's an outrageous situation with cutting of trees. They cut all trees in the city centre. The city's chief architect saw so called robinia in her latest abroad trip. They removed all trees in the centre to plant these dwarf trees, which, by the way, don't grow here due to a cold climate. But we already lost strong and good 20-year-old aesculus, lime and ash trees,” the reader wrote.

He adds the authorities are actively cutting the remaining trees.

“They cut trees in the centre, in the most visible places to install billboards. It's impossible to stay in central streets now, especially in hot weather. But the authorities don't care – bribes solve all problems,” the reader thinks.

Charter97.org contacted Natallia Husakova, the head of the department for projects and city landscaping at the architectural and planning bureau at the Homel city executive committee.

“It's not the concept of massive cutting of trees and installing billboards. Every particular case is discussed. We cannot say 'massive cutting'. It takes place in the city, so cutting a single tree must be authorised, otherwise a huge fine will be issued,” Natallia Husakova said.

It is not the first case of massive cutting of trees. The city authorities have recently decided to destroy a small forest in Kozhar Street to construct a new restaurant.