The Dutch government continued with its plan of felling trees in the Schinveld forest near the German border on Monday to make way for NATO planes despite a protest by environmentalists.

Dutch police on Monday arrested 46 environmental activists camping in the wood to protect the trees in Schinveld in the southeast province of Limburg. One of the activists has been admitted to hospital with suspected hypothermia, the Dutch news agency ANP reported.

The police estimated by 3 p.m. on Monday that there were still 15 activists in the wood, many of whom had chained themselves to trees. One person was in a tunnel underground.

Negotiations to get the person to abandon the protest could take several hours, police said.

The activists were protesting against the Dutch government's decision to cut down six hectares of trees to facilitate the take- off and landing of aircraft at the nearby German military base of Geilenkirchen.

Despite fierce opposition by the local government, the Dutch cabinet has given the green light to the plan to clear the way for the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) planes operating from the German base.

The authorities want to cut a total of 20 hectares of trees down to just one meter in height to ensure the safe passage of the planes. Permission has only been granted for the cutting of six hectares of trees so far, with a decision to follow soon on the rest.

A standoff developed between environmentalists and the authorities last Thursday when the order to vacate went into effect. Dozens of activists of the organization Groenfront! (Green Front) climbed trees to build huts and hang protest banners. Sympathizing locals brought in refreshments.

Environmentalists claim that the forest is part of a larger natural reserve with a high biodiversity and several rare and endangered species. Local protesters had stopped attempts to build roads through the forest in the seventies of last century.

Residents in the Dutch-German bordering area have been complaining about the presence of the AWACS planes carrying early warning systems, saying the planes cause noise nuisance, pollution and health problems for the locals.

Source: Xinhua