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A69 Highway : 'Majo' Of The Crem'arbres ZAD Receives The Label 'Outstanding Tree Of The Year'

People are repairing the damage that was illegally caused by NGE/Atosca in the Crem'Arbres woods. Georges Feterman, the president of the NGO A.R.B.R.E.S, is visiting the Crem'Arbres to award the 'Outstanding Tree of the Year' label to 'Majo', a London plane. This tree, along with others, would have been illegally cut down by NGE/Atosca if 'Ecureuils' (meaning 'squirrels') had not occupied the trees for 39 days. Following a 39-day police siege of the Crem'Arbres, the French Justice has recognized that the Crem'Arbre must be protected and the trees should not be cut until September 1st. People, sympathizers, and LVEL members are gathering for the awarding of the 'Outstanding Tree of the Year' label. In Saix, Tarn, on the route of the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres, opponents have set up a ZAD, dubbed 'Crem'Arbre' (meaning 'Zone To Defend'), and 'Ecureuils' ('squirrels') have been 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. The expropriations for farmers have not been resolved. Opponents of the project argue that reprofiling the N126 would be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles expected per day and would cost significantly less. The A69 highway is projected to cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros, excluding inflation) for 53 kilometers, and its construction would destroy more than 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural land. In Saix, Tarn, France, on April 26, 2024. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)

Photo ID	#11182777
Date Taken	26 April 2024
Location	N/A
Photographer	Alain Pitton/NurPhoto
Category	Social Issue
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Alain Pitton/NurPhoto

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