STOP BELGRADE CHAIN SAW MASSACRE!!!

Post date: Feb 24, 2010 10:57:21 AM

24.02.2010.

„Gradsko zelenilo“- city subsided firm in charge of all the parks and trees in Belgrade has informed the general public about a moth ago, via media article, about plans for complete eradication of the trees in the Boulevard of King Alexander, under the false premise that the trees are old, and sick. In this article we've been informed that this plan of non-selective, total cut down of trees is to be put in action by the mid February, no matter what we do. It is an announcement, ultimatum, not something to be discussed in the public. Also in the same tone we are informed that trees are to be replaced in some distant future by „more-modern tree alley.“ As if it was meant to be deliberate insult, it sounded wrong from the very beginning.Basically, it was this “bullying style” of communication, that has triggered the outburst of dissatisfaction in Belgrade, the same as the fact that we are about to lose one of most beautiful parts of our city, due to the incompetence of the city employees. They have presented their idea and we were expected to just except it in silence, no questions asked.And that has just motivated some of us to have a closer look. Why on Earth have they decided to do this terrible thing? We have learned that, even they are talking all the time about the scientific study done by the Forestry Faculty, no one has seen this paper stating that virtually all of Boulevard Plane trees are sick and dangerous for the people and their property during the windy storms. At the same time, we have learned about the plans for several hundred parking spots to be build in the place of current tree alley. Not to forget that these trees are in the way for some other plans for the building of underground garages in the area.In this investigative process we have learned that “working around trees” is taking much more time and that it is much easier to cut down all of them - finish the job of reconstruction, not having to maintain the trees in the years to come. And this is the main point. It is hard and time consuming to maintain the trees. And this negligent statement has been given to us by the same city Firm that has in the past caused destruction of Belgrade greenery by the incompetent and savage pruning. Also we have learned from their chief Radovan Draskic that gorgeous big Plane trees will not be replaced as in all other civilized European cities, with adult trees of the same kind, but with “more modern tree alley” of yang three meter high “new born–baby” trees.

More modern?

Please don’t do it. We are not that modern at all. Look at us, public transport is not really functional, bridges are almost collapsing, and we have political problems for years keeping us from European integration processes. Leave the trees, please.

This is of course explanatory to the hard fact that they don't at all have some elaborate plan for this huge action, but they have figuratively speaking “decided it yesterday, and doing it day after tomorrow.” We have realized that Belgrade is their playground, and place to practice and learn by mistakes, many times before.

But even more alarming was media framing of this development as it is giving the idea about the sorry state of public sphere and society in Serbia. Main media houses, with exclusion of B92, have covered this story uncritically, playing the game follow the leader, and “he said/ she said” pattern, from time to time showing some traces of remorse, but never, ever questioning the decision as such. And there are a lot of reasons to do so. But it was never done in spite of all this public outrage.

It mainly shows what is the reaction of media houses when interests of those who are incapable to defend, are in question. No one will lift a finger. That is the state of our society. It is our psychological profile. Having on one side insulted public and on the other powerful City Hall media is left with simple decision who’s side to take.

Here are some questions that should be asked by the media:

1. Who was the person in charge in Gradsko Zelenilo who is to blame for the fact that trees had been exposed to such savage pruning in the past years, taht has caused rapid rotting of Plane trees in Boulevard – (thesis presented by “Gradsko Zelenilo”)

2. Where is the study that is confirming the thesis that trees are sick? The general public is still waiting to be presented with this document that is the corner stone of whole idea of cut down. It has not been shown to the public, let alone discussed by the various experts, not linked to each other by interests.

3. Who personally is author of this study?

4. How could it be that all of the trees are sick at the same time, why all of them are being cut?

5. Why there was no public debate?

6. What is going to happen to several thousands of birds living inside those trees for decades?

7. Why is tree alley being moved to the center of the street?

Instead of answer to these questions almost every day in some other media we hear some new theory from coming from Gradsko Zelenilo: the trees have been wounded by the previous pruning, it has been attacked by the fungus, and the roots have been damaged by the previous reconstruction of the street… My personal favorite is the one that states: “workers have experienced foul smell after cutting down one of the trees recently?” http://www.vreme.com/cms/view.php?id=911090

This final absurdity is bringing us closer to understanding what is really going on here. We have on one side ambitious City Hall that wants to make visible their agility and active approach towards city development, while at the same time they are showing total contempt towards existing values of Belgrade, and moreover it's citizens, using all possible excuses to put their plan in action. We have also complementary interests(selling of wood) and destructible dilettantism (Gradsko Zelenilo) that in it's practice destroying everything beautiful and meaningful that it comes about. This brings us to the following scandalous conclusions:

1. It is just more easy for them to cut the trees down, as then they will not have to work around the roots.

2. There are plans for more parking spots and the trees are in way of this idea.

3. We have political party selected dilettantes working in important city services.

4. Most important actions in the city are put in action without elaborate planning.

5. There is total disregard for the public within decision makers.

But we have managed to score one small but important victory. By bringing the public eye to the absurdity of the act of non-selective – total eradication of tree alley we have made them change their initial catastrophic decision to cut down all the trees in Boulevard, and reconsidered it stating recently to B92 that some 50 trees will not be cut – as they are healthy!

Is it possible?

There are some healthy trees in Boulevard?

Thank you for turning your brain to: ON

Now just go on by this track and reconsider the whole action. THINK, and PRESENT US WITH YOUR STUDY,

We are waiting for it.

source:

facebook group - STOP BELGRADE CHAIN SAW MASSACRE!!!