Upset with the decision of cutting down more than 16,500 trees in Delhi for the redevelopment of seven colonies, over a hundred protestors on Sunday appealed to the Centre to wrap up its proposal.
Joined by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, protestors including children and senior citizens came out on the streets of Sarojini Nagar with placards and banners. The agitating people had come from different areas of Delhi-NCR to mount pressure on the government.
The trees would be cut down for redevelopment of accommodations for central government officials in Sarojini Nagar, Netaji Nagar, Nauroji Nagar, Mohammadpur, Tyagraj Nagar among others.
Anil Sood, who filed the petition in National Green Tribunal (NGT) said, “The petition filed by us has been listed for July 2. We are hoping a decision will come and environment of Delhi is protected.”
Sood ridiculed the statement made by government officials saying that they have planned 10 times the plants that had to be chopped in the process.
“The new saplings cannot compensate the loss of the existing plants. Government is not concerned about the problems being faced by the Delhi due to rising pollution. It was time to take measures and trees are being cut.”
Braving the scorching heat, many people were also seen hugging trees.
A campaign has been initiated under a group, save 16,500 trees, which has more than 600 members. People from states like Hyderabad and Uttarakhand have also joined Delhiites in their fight.
Many protestors were also heard saying that if trees are chopped, they will chop off the politicians who are not paying heed to their repeated requests.
Another activist, Anil Sharma said that they have approached the centre leadership through mails, applications and RTIs, but no one has responded.
“We are thankful to the Delhi government and AAP leaders who atleast realised this grave issue. No one from the central government has responded to our requests,” said Sharma.
Ruchika Rai Madan, an educationist, said that it’s time for everyone to protest against the government’s decision.
Meanwhile, the AAP leaders slammed the BJP-led government for maintaining silence over the matter.
AAP leader Raghav Chadha said, “Nearly 17, 000 trees would be chopped and it shows the mindlessness of the BJP government. Except for our party, no one has shown concern. We will continue to protest with the citizens.” india today
