While the city is grappling under the threat of air pollution and both central as well as state Govt of Delhi are trying all possible methods to contain the pollution which gets severe in the coming winter months, the horticulture department is busy cutting precious old trees in the name of pruning.
In various blocks of Safdarjung Enclave it is observed that age old trees are mercilessly cut by the horticulture dept. When asked about the same their reply is- “the RWA wanted Pruning”.
Residents and RWA’s are also equally responsible as they want more sunlight in their houses and in that greed they get the beautiful trees cut mercilessly without realising that this very tree serves as their saviour in the polluted winter months by supplying them oxygen for free.
This particular tree was a very healthy tall one whose health was sacrificed few years before also by residents who got it cut in an unscientific manner and it was slanting in one direction because of loss of balance. And now on the pretext of getting its balance back ( in the greed of getting more sunlight) , few residents in connivence with the horticulture staff and RWA got this trees, a mango tree and a Sheesham tree cut mercilessly . Obviously big logs of wood fetch more money and the horticulture staff is very prompt in responding to such lucrative business. Truck loads of logs were seen taking away from B4 block by the horticulture department despite a blanket ban on such heavy pruning by the Hon’ ble Supreme Court of India.
This issue was raised in the Mohalla Sabha group of the MLA but till date no action has been taken and no satisfactory reply has come from the elected representatives.
When the Delhi Govt is going so active in combating pollution and advertising so much for plantation everywhere, how can such actions in colonies go unnoticed and why such people are not penalised. All environment lovers of the colony seek an answer to this and want the horticulture department to take accountability and plant at least 100 more trees in the city as compensation for damage to the environment.
The horticulture staff needs to be made more sensitive and educated to do pruning in a scientific manner which will result in saving hundreds of precious trees in our colonies.
It has been the longest fight for the silently standing majestic trees across our colony and in our city of Delhi. By now each of us understands the value of a tree, its shade giving capacity and being the only oxygenator of our planet. While everything else is using up the oxygen and producing Carbon Dioxide (CO2), its the tree which does the reverse. Increasing CO2 is heating up our planet leading to disastrous changes already visible to one and all. Human greed has no end and hence tree cutting is also a business. Whether it was different party Governments in Delhi MCD and state or now the same party managing the both, butchering of trees continues at the same pace. The forest department being hand in glove with the MCD has been reported umpteen number of times but to no avail. Coming to pruning, if done as per the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act 1994, does not allow branches to be cut beyond a certain size. Even Justice Wazari in June 2023 before his retirement questioned the Delhi Government on why 15.7 cm was set at the girth of branches which could be cut for pruning and what was the scientific rationale but to no avail. On ground zero we continue to loose green cover and make our colony, city and the planet a more and more difficult place for future generation to live.
