Hundreds of trees have been badly damaged. Trees have either been pruned or cut down by people, particularly youth, from across the state including cities like Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur.

"The trees can neither raise their voice nor seek justice after they are pruned or cut down in name of burning Holika," green activist Guddu Baba said here.

In a mockery of forest laws, people have been chopping off branches and felling trees with the full knowledge of forest officials, local administration and police but no action has been taken.

"It is usual every year ahead of Holi. The enforcing officials ignore it despite the open violation of forest laws," said Guddu Baba, who has been campaigning to reduce pollution in the Ganga.

"There is virtually a race among people to collect wood for bonfires. People have no concern for trees and its impact. They want to fulfil rituals at the cost of harming the environment," said Arun Singh, a nature lover.

In Patna alone there are over 500 places where bonfires will be lit to mark the festival. "We watched people in the city and its outskirts felling trees indiscriminately in the name of Holi even as forest officials looked the other way," said Singh.