After Delhiites launched their own version of the ‘Chipko Movement’ to save the trees of the city, the government has asked authorities supervising redevelopment projects to ensure that no designs entail chopping-off trees in the city.
On Thursday, Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri assured the residents of the city that Delhi’s trees will not be harmed and that the government will work towards enhancing the green cover. Puri also stated that the authorities entrusted with the redevelopment project — the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) — have been asked to redesign their plans for the city.
I have always maintained that the green cover in Delhi will not be damaged & steps will be taken to enhance it even further.
As stated earlier, no trees will henceforth be cut in the process of redevelopment of Delhi colonies. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/NrIKIcNlN6
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) June 28, 2018
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Puri’s statements are followed by a meeting that he held with the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal, Delhi Development Authority vice-chairman Udai Pratap Singh, NBCC CMD Anoop Kumar Mittal, CPWD DG Abhai Sinha and HUA secretary D S Mishra, et al.
I chaired a meeting of all stakeholders where NBCC/CPWD have been asked to rework & redesign the plans. We will also go ahead with compensatory plan of planting 1 million trees within the next 3 months. Citizen groups will be invited to suggest locations for transplantation.(2/3) pic.twitter.com/6DlXe9EIUI
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) June 28, 2018
Puri also stated that “all permissions” had been granted by the Forest Department of the Delhi government on the recommendation of Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain for the redevelopment project.
Facts speak for themselves. All permissions were earlier granted by the forest dept of Delhi Govt on recommendation of Environment Minister Imran Hussain. I have now asked concerned agencies to rework plans. I hope Delhi Govt will now follow this example in all future plans.(3/3) pic.twitter.com/bVtdgzdkG3
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) June 28, 2018
While addressing the media, HUA secretary DS Mishra also confirmed that “not a single tree will be cut for the redevelopment of govt colonies in Delhi.”
However, as part of the project, some of the trees in the city may be transplanted at other locations. As per an official release, the NBCC is already looking towards acquiring tree re-location/transplantation equipment and employing trained officials to aid with the process.
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A woman ties banners on trees during “Save The Tree Campaign” in New Delhi, India, June 26, 2018. (Courtesy: REUTERS/Adnan Abidi)
In the meeting, it was also decided that one million trees — ranging from 8-12 feet in height — will be planted across the city. The NBCC will be planting 25,000 trees, CPWD – 50,000, DDA – 10 lakh, and the DMRC will plant 20,000 trees, the official release said. The process is scheduled to be completed within three months.
The release added that the Delhi LG will assemble a group of concerned citizens and experts to discuss the environmental issues and help take further action.
Earlier, the government had declared that 16,000 trees in the city will be chopped in order to build 25,000 flats for government employees in seven localities across Delhi. Ever since news of the directive emerged, residents of the national capital and activists had vehemently protested to protect the city’s green cover.
(With inputs from PTI)
