Ludhiana: Council of Engineers on Friday filed a petition with National Green Tribunal (NGT) against “illegal axing/felling” of trees and “causing severe damage” of roots of trees in the name of Urban Environment Improvement Programme by municipal corporation (MC) as well as Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT). Engineer Kapil Arora alleged that nine trees with ages varying around three to 35 years were axed by MC near Community Centre of BRS Nagar, Canal Bridge Ludhiana and the matter was raised with the chief conservator of forests (plain zones) as well as district forest officer of Ludhiana on March 30. He added that however, despite knowing the facts that there are directions of NGT, no action has been taken by them till date and now the trunks of axed trees have also been uprooted by the MC.