Delhi environment minister writes to L-G over felling of trees in South Delhi

Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain today wrote to Lt Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal, demanding that the felling of trees for NBCC construction projects in seven colonies here be immediately halted.

His demand comes amid protests over the government's plan to cut nearly 14,000 trees in seven colonies in South Delhi -- Sarojini Nagar, Netaji Nagar, Nauroji Nagar, Kasturba Nagar, Thyagraj Nagar, Srinivaspuri and Mohammadpur.

Hussain said the ongoing projects are "liable to be stopped due to violations".

"I have written to the Hon'ble LG of Delhi demanding immediate halt to felling of trees for NBCC construction projects till the matter is fully investigated given the seriousness of the entire matter," he said in a tweet.

 

Yesterday, a major protest was held against the decision with locals and activists launching their own 'Chipko Movement' -- a forest conservation movement where people in the 1970s embraced trees to prevent them from being cut down in Uttarakhand (then Uttar Pradesh).

In his letter to the L-G, Hussain said, "In view of the seriousness of the matter and the fact that the felling of trees may cause permanent loss, it is proposed that an immediate stoppage to felling of trees be ordered in the seven colonies."

However, the L-G office has said the proposals for redeveloping Nauroji Nagar and Netaji Nagar were duly endorsed by Hussain.

In a statement, Baijal's office said an impression is being created in sections of media that the permission for felling the trees was granted by the L-G directly despite objections from Hussain.

State-owned NBCC today agreed in the Delhi High Court not to cut trees till July 4.

It made the statement after a vacation bench of the high court comprising justices Vinod Goel and Rekha Palli said it will impose an interim stay on tree felling.

The NBCC also defended its decision to cut the trees, saying it is a sacrifice that one has to make for development and they would be compensating by increasing the green cover by 15 times.

Stating that the locations for planting of two lakh trees is being identified, NBCC CMD Anoop Kumar Mittal said 1.5 lakh trees will be planted as per the government rule and another 50,000 trees voluntarily by NBCC and CPWD.