The axeman cometh: Trees face the chop

Residents of The Gardens said they will defy orders from a property developer for them to destroy their “private gardens''.

In a letter sent to tenants last week, property developer Nakheel said the “private gardens'' were “illegal modifications'' to the buildings' original design and threatened to take legal action against tenants who refused to dig up the green patches.

Stark contrast

This anti-green drive by the management of the gated community is in stark contrast to a statement on its website, www.thegardens.ae, which reads: “The Gardens community is designed for a lifestyle of convenience and functionality, with view of lush landscaped gardens …''

The deadline to comply with the directive was last Thursday [January 15], but many residents refused to heed the order.

“I'm not going to kill my plants because the Ruler of Dubai himself has encouraged helping the environment. So why do they [Nakheel] now want us to destroy these harmless plants?'' a resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, said.

She added that her garden is a delight even to her neighbors who visit her place to pick chillies, mint and jasmine flowers.

Mahi, another tenant, said she was “sentimentally attached'' to her banana tree, planted outside her living room. “My little plant is home to some birds. I'm not going to kill my plants and I have already informed them about my decision.''

Another resident Nina said she only “beautified'' the barren area outside her home which was earlier used by her neighbours to chuck cigarette butts and other trash. Apartments in the 220-hectare community are sold with full ownership titles.

Nakheel replies

A spokesperson for Nakheel said tenants of The Gardens were advised in their Property & Leasing Management Rules & Regulations to seek approval before making any modifications in communal areas.

“Modifications to communal areas can pose a number of risks including, damage to underground utilities, obscured public lighting, obstruction of pedestrian pathways, or the introduction of foreign plants which pose a threat to the community landscaping design,'' the spokesperson said.