Delhiites’ protests have forced the Centre to shelve plans for felling of 16,000 trees for the redevelopment of seven Government colonies, including residential complex for bureaucrats. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (HUA) on Thursday announced to redesign these colonies to avoid tree cutting.
The National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC), which is executing the project, has already floated an Expression of Interest for the acquisition of tree re-location equipment and for engaging services of trained professional entities in this respect. Further citizens groups will be invited to suggest where transplanted trees will be planted.
Under pressure from different quarters, HUA Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday held a high-level meeting to discuss the issues relating to re-development of these Government colonies. “The NBCC/CPWD will rework the design and plans for the remaining redevelopment of the seven general pool residential accommodation colonies to avoid felling of trees,” the Ministry said in a statement.
Officials said that it was also decided to plant more than one million trees in different parts of the Capital. Of these, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) will plant 10 lakh half-grown trees; NBCC 25,000; CPWD 50,000 and Delhi Metro 20,000 trees.
“These will not be saplings but trees of 8-12 feet height. The planting of trees will be completed in the next three months during the monsoon season and the trees will comprise fruit-bearing, flowering and other green trees,” the Ministry said. The colonies are Sarojini Nagar, Nauroji Nagar, Netaji Nagar, Mohammadpur, Kasturba Nagar, Srinivaspuri and Thyagraj Nagar.
As per earlier plan, in Sarojini Nagar, 8,322 of the 11,913 trees would be cut while in Nauroji Nagar, 1,465 of the 1,513 tress would be chopped off.
About 2,315 of the 3,906 trees in Netaji Nagar and 562 in Mohammadpur would be felled. In Kasturba Nagar, 723 trees, in Srinivaspuri, 750 trees and in Thyagraj Nagar, 93 trees would be cut.
The redevelopment plan of seven Government colonies in South Delhi area to construct Government accommodation has hit a bump with locals in large numbers recreating the famous 1973s ‘Chipko Andolan’ in order to save more than 16,000 full grown trees from being razed to the ground on Sunday.
Citizens from all age groups took to the streets near Sarojni Nagar Metro Station and scores of them hugged the trees near the flats which are to be razed and forming groups around large trees holding placards saying “Save Trees Save Delhi, Don’t Cut Down life Cut Your Greed.”
Word of felling a large chunk of trees spread like wildfire and social media campaigns to protect the trees are being organised. Giving the issue a political turn, AAP leaders in Delhi, including Environment Minister Imran Hussain joined the protesters to show solidarity.
During the meeting, Delhi lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal has advised to set up a group of experts to interact on environmental issues and for specific further actions to be taken in respect of these colonies.
The Delhi High Court has also made strong observations against such large-scale felling of trees, and the NBCC agreed to not cut any trees till the next hearing scheduled for July 2. Meanwhile, core group of environment enthusiasts have stated that the compensatory plantation will not solve the purpose if it is being done far away from the site the trees are felled. Also ornamental plants like palm in place of trees like banyan, peepal, neem, mango, amaltas, guava will not solve the issue.
Officials also informed the Minister that environmental and related clearances are given on the recommendations of the Delhi Government’s forest department and specific recommendation has been given by Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain who recommended these cases to the lieutenant Governor.
The high-level meeting was attended by Delhi lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, HUA Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra, HUA’s additional secretary Manoj Kumar, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) vice-chairman Udai Pratap Singh, NBCC CMD Anoop Kumar Mittal, CPWD’s DG Abhai Sinha and Special DG, CPWD Prabhakar Singh.