Dehradun:
The Doon Valley of Uttarakhand is widely considered among the most special places in India for its diversity of vegetation and animal species. The climate and the rainfall conditions are near perfect for a luscious, vibrant environment, but this greenery is now under threat ever since Dehradun, right at the centre of the valley became the capital of Uttarakhand. It's the trees that have had to make way for urbanisation.
Residents of Doon are worried at the extent of green cover that's been lost. They have now approached the court in the matter.
"We have asked as to who gave permission to cut trees for road widening and we have not got an answer. We have also asked on various points as to permission for which trees, their longitude and latitude, which species, girth and market value. The total number for permission given, but it's been over a month and we will file an appeal against it," says Dr. Datta of Citizen Pressure Group.
But the city planners argue that road widening and development is a necessity to deal with the increased population and that trees have been planted to compensate for the cutting.
Says Vinod Chamoli, the Mayor of Dehradun, "At times tree-felling seems necessary for progress, we have had to fell certain trees to make room for road widening but we plan to compensate heavily for every tree that has been felled, we planted some 3000 saplings last monsoon alone."
The fight to save the Doon valley and its trees is now gathering momentum and has become a people's fight. After all, this is the state where the iconic Chipko Movement began.
Residents of Doon are worried at the extent of green cover that's been lost. They have now approached the court in the matter.
"We have asked as to who gave permission to cut trees for road widening and we have not got an answer. We have also asked on various points as to permission for which trees, their longitude and latitude, which species, girth and market value. The total number for permission given, but it's been over a month and we will file an appeal against it," says Dr. Datta of Citizen Pressure Group.
But the city planners argue that road widening and development is a necessity to deal with the increased population and that trees have been planted to compensate for the cutting.
Says Vinod Chamoli, the Mayor of Dehradun, "At times tree-felling seems necessary for progress, we have had to fell certain trees to make room for road widening but we plan to compensate heavily for every tree that has been felled, we planted some 3000 saplings last monsoon alone."
The fight to save the Doon valley and its trees is now gathering momentum and has become a people's fight. After all, this is the state where the iconic Chipko Movement began.
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