Barnala, Feb. 5 -- Activists in Barnala have alleged that the local improvement trust illegally cut trees on 25 acres of land at Shaheed Bhai Mani Singh Nagar, triggering concerns over environmental violations. Retired forest officer Rajinder Kumar alleged that more than 100 trees were illegally felled on the land. Responding to the allegations, Barnala deputy commissioner Harpreet Singh said the land belongs to the improvement trust and acknowledged that complaints had been received regarding unauthorised tree cutting. He said instructions had been issued to the divisional forest officer (DFO) to conduct an inquiry, and action would be taken on the findings of the report. However, improvement trust executive officer Ram Singh denied the allegations, stating that the trees were not cut by the trust. He claimed the trees were felled by residents whose 'jhuggis' were demolished during the removal of illegal encroachments on January 30. Singh said the axed trees are in the possession of the improvement trust. "We have written to the DFO and will arrange an auction after they assess the value," he said. HTC...