Residents come together to save trees
On 14th Sept, we woke up to the shocking news that a whole lot of fully grown trees had been felled in S Block Park, to make way for a Durga Puja Pandal by the RWA of C.R. Park.
The next day a peaceful protest was organized by the Greater Kailash-II Welfare Association (GKIIWA) and the residents of GK2. It was heartening to see a significant turnout of around 100 residents including youngsters and senior citizens, determined to preserve their green spaces. The protest, held at the S-Block Park was in opposition to the cutting of trees for Durga Puja preparations by the RWA of C.R. Park.
The residents sought intervention from relevant authorities to prevent tree felling, arguing that temporary events should not come at the cost of the neighbourhood’s green spaces. Formal requests were also made to the Deputy Commissioner of MCD and the Forest Department, as well as to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), stressing the importance of environmental preservation.
The protest on Sunday began with residents gathering at S-Block Park, voicing their concerns about the misuse of green spaces for temporary events that led to the destruction of local trees. The residents held a peaceful march in the park with slogans of “Dharti Maa ka Karz chukao..Ped lagao, ped Bachao”. The residents were all unanimous in their feelings that trees need to be preserved and the anger and indignation at the ruthless slaughtering of trees was evident in all.
Following the initial gathering, the participants joined in a peaceful protest march to the C.R. Park Police Station, where their voices made an impact. During the protest, the Durga Puja Committee officially submitted a letter to the Station House Officer (SHO), notifying their decision to halt all preparations and dismantle the partially constructed pandal. The Durga Pooja was originally scheduled to take place in the park, but thanks to the efforts of GKIIWA and the participating residents, the permission granted for the event was ultimately revoked.
This victory is a testament to the dedication of GK-2 residents to preserving their environment. The decision to cancel the event represents a significant achievement in their ongoing battle against the felling and hard pruning of trees for temporary structures. This should hopefully be a deterrent for any future events that involve cutting trees.
The residents’ joint efforts exemplify community spirit and a collective commitment to safeguarding their neighbourhood’s greenery. The sentiments were aptly summed up by a young protestor from CR Park (yes.. even the residents of CR Park supported the cause) “I want to enjoy the Pooja but not at the cost of trees, which are our lifeline.” Hearing him, I felt our future was secure!
