Delhi: Residents of Sadarjung area hold march to save trees
A group of citizens in south Delhi's Safdarjung area yesterday took out a protest march to drive home the message of saving trees. The protest march comes days after the Center proposed to cut down 14,000 trees for the redevelopment of seven colonies in south Delhi and instead plant 1 million trees of 8-12 feet height in the next 3 months.
Proposal to cut trees drew flak from activists, politicians, citizens
The seven colonies where trees were cut include Sarojini Nagar, Netaji Nagar, and Nauroji Nagar among others. This had drawn heavy criticism from green activists, politicians, and citizens. The citizens were assembled in front of Safdarjung Club, holding placards bearing messages of "Cut the Greed, Not the Green", "No Cutting, No Moving", "No World Trade Center" and chanted slogans like "Hum Honge Kamyab".
Minister decides to re-work on design to avoid cutting trees
Last week, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had decided that National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) and Central Public Works Department (CPWD) will re-work the design for the redevelopment of seven General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) colonies to avoid cutting of the trees. The Delhi High Court after hearing a plea had also put off the project till July 4.
Redevelopment project earlier mired in controversy, too
The controversial redevelopment project had earlier triggered Chipko movement-like agitations in the national capital as citizens of all ages and various walks of life gathered near the sites of these projects and hugged trees in protest against the decision.
