The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment said on Friday that it had no other option than to cut down the neem trees to pave way for the ongoing re-landscaping exercise at Cantonments, around the Togo Embassy Roundabout. In a statement signed on behalf of the Minister by the Public Relations Officer Mr Frank Asante, the Ministry said the exercise was being pursued after a careful and extensive study of the conditions at the place had been undertaken and there was no other option but to cut the trees to pave way for the re-landscaping. Among the reasons to remove the neem trees after the study are that the neem trees did not conform to any planned design aesthetically as most of them are volunteer plants, which were self or naturally propagated. Besides some trees close to the road have their roots grown extensively and caused serious damage to the pavements and the road. While the Ministry expressed its appreciation to the general public and environmentalists for their concerns, the statement said the new landscape design for the roundabout which entailed fountain, statues and lighting features had been drawn while provisions had also been made for adequate specimen trees and other plants to cater for both the aesthetic and environment enhancement aspects. The statement said the Ministry, the Department of Parks and Gardens, which had the statutory duty for the exercise and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, were taking steps to plant other tree varieties, which would maintain and beautify of the ecology. Suitable trees such as Guaiacum Officinale (tree of life), Terminalia Montalis Araucaria Sp, which were fast growing, tap rooted, less deciduous and wind resistant would be planted. In addition fragment shrubs and herbaceous plants are to be planted to attract birds and butterflies to the round about. The re-landscaping of the roundabout forms part of the beautification project of the capital being embarked upon by the AMA. The statement assured the public that the Department would continue to work for the interest of all and added that the exercise would be carried out in other places within the city once resources were made available.