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After 37 Days In The Trees To Block The Cut Of Trees For The A69 Highway, 'Ecureuils Climb Down

People are walking through the remnants of the Crem'Arbre woods after trees were illegally cut down for the controversial A69 highway. The last three 'Ecureuils' (meaning 'squirrels'), who had been living in the trees of the Crem'Arbre ZAD (Zone To Defend) for 37 days, are climbing down as the French Justice has ruled that the Crem'Arbre must be protected and the trees cannot be cut until September 1st. Supporters, including members of LVEL, are gathering to welcome the 'Ecureuils' back to the ground. Riot police are present but only to prevent public disorder. The 'Ecureuils' and their trees had been surrounded by police for over a month. In Saix, Tarn, on the planned A69 highway route between Toulouse and Castres, opponents have set up a ZAD named 'Crem'Arbre' and 'Ecureuils' are living in the trees to prevent them from being cut down. The main collective 'La Voie est Libre' (meaning 'The Way is Free') is demanding that the highway construction be halted until all judicial decisions have been made. Not all expropriations for farmers have been resolved. Opponents argue that reprofiling the N126 would be sufficient for the anticipated 6,000 vehicles per day and would be much less expensive. The A69 highway is projected to cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros, excluding inflation) for 53 kilometers, and its construction would destroy over 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural land. The photo was taken in Saix, Tarn, France, on March 24, 2024. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)

Photo Details

Photo ID	#11096584
Date Taken	24 March 2024
Location	N/A
Photographer	Alain Pitton/NurPhoto
Category	Environmental Issue
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Alain Pitton/NurPhoto

Related Keywords

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