At least 11,000 of the 17,000 trees will be cut down from Sarojini Nagar.
Highlights
- Huge rally held in south Delhi where most number of trees would be cut
- 11,000 of 17,000 trees will be cut down from Sarojini Nagar
- Residents argue saplings cannot replace fully grown trees for years
The central government's plan to cut around 17,000 trees in Delhi has run into a huge protest by people of Delhi, who have rubbished the government's plan to plant an equal number of saplings.
Saplings, they argue, cannot replace fully grown trees for years and the plan, they say, is a no-no for a city that's one of the most-polluted in the world.
A huge rally was held today in posh south Delhi -- an area that has the highest levels of pollution and stands to lose the most number of trees. At least 11,000 of the 17,000 trees will be cut down from Sarojini Nagar to make way for government flats, offices and commercial space. Sources, however, say at least 15 per cent of these flats will be for sale and the focus of the redevelopment is on commercial space.
On Twitter, union minister Hardeep Puri got massively trolled after he tried to explain the government's stand and gave an irked response when a user questioned him. "I am a little surprised at the distortion around our city's green cover," the minister had tweeted and then went on to explain the afforestation plans for Delhi.
An user, however, questioned, "Why didn't you consider to make accommodations in Dwarka or Rohini or outer Delhi minister Hardeep S Puri-ji? Don't you think this project of yours is lethal & unreasonable?"
The minister responded:
His response met with a barrage of criticism.
"It is not just about a tree it is the entire ecosystem that thrives on it, the insects the birds the animals, over it chopping down a 50-year-old tree and replacing it with a sapling, how foolish! Afforestation is not the replacement for deforestation," one user responded.
A protest was called under the "Delhi Trees SOS" campaign.
Others expressed anger about the hike in metro fare and alleged that the government is about to make another "mistake".
"Already pollution level in Delhi is high. Lakhs of people are leaving metro and travelling by buses because of high ticket prices. Cutting trees will make pollution more alarming. He should consult environment experts," a Twitter user by the handle @AamIndian_1 replied.
Many complained, tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asked him to take over the housing ministry, where Mr Puri is the junior minister.
The South Delhi redevelopment project will take a toll on areas such as Sarojini Nagar, Nauroji Nagar and Netaji Nagar. Over 3,000 trees from Nauroji Nagar and Netaji Nagar have already been felled. To save the 11,000 trees from being axed down in Sarojini Nagar area, people are holding a sit-in candle protest at Africa Avenue every evening.
The Nauroji Nagar project, which has already started, is being touted as Delhi's first World Trade Centre. The project, approved by National Buildings Construction Corporation, has enraged activists, bringing the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing under much criticism.
Environmentalists argue that providing land for compensatory afforestation 30 km away on the Yamuna flood plains will not make up for the damage done to Delhi.
"These trees are decades old fully-grown trees that provide shade and curb pollution. A sapling will take years to grow into a tree that big and given climate change, chances of its survival are too low," said Juhi Saklani, an environmentalist.