Civil organisations demonstrate to protect Budapest trees

Budapest (MTI) – Several civil organisations held a joint demonstration on Saturday to protest against the cutting of trees as part of Budapest development projects in the City Park, the Orczy Garden and the Római embankment.

Budapest’s City Park was the first planned public city park in the world, head of the Town Protection Association for Budapest Mihály Ráday told the event from a stage set up in Heroes Square. Who would think of erecting new buildings in London’s Hyde Park or Paris’ Jardin du Luxembourg and Bois de Boulogne, he said referring to the Liget Project which would relocate several museums to the City Park.

Head of the CivilZuglo Association Lászlo Várnai demanded that “megalomaniac” construction plans should be stopped. He said Budapest should replace 3,000 missing trees and develop old industrial zones.

A symbolic “Golden chainsaw award” was granted to rector of the National University of Public Service András Patyi for being responsible for the cutting of 200 trees in Orczy Park according to the head of the association.

The participants were holding a sign showing the words “We will protect Budapest trees” and marched from Erzsébet Square on Andrássy Avenue to Heroes Square. When the front of the march arrived in the square the end was at Munkácsy Mihály Street.

Photos: MTI

Source: MTI