The print media these days is abuzz with the news of the cutting of 17,000 trees in South Delhi to create space for building residence complexes for the VVIPs and bureaucrats. The very idea of and its execution, to say the least, is appalling. This country has protected, preserved, and worshiped trees and forests for over five millennia for their unstinting blessings. The practice of cutting trees and making forests a commodity stems from the greed of the colonial masters to serve the
interests of the Empire. The practice, however, spilled into India in the name of development. The resulting ecological disaster is in front of all of us to see.
Such actions make a mockery of our claims at climate change summits and our boasts at Davos. The political costs of this will be immeasurable and the spirit of cooperative federalism will also be flouted. We do not need an environmental impact assessment for this action. Common sense tells us that this action will lead to exacerbated ecological woes in the Capital. We can only hope that a better sense will eventually prevail and this decision to cut trees will be rescinded.