NEW DELHI: The
Delhi government’s forest department has given permission for felling 77,617 trees in the past 10 years, a reply submitted in the assembly on Friday has revealed.
The reply, submitted by the deputy conservator of forests, was in response to a question filed by MLA Nitin Tyagi, who had also asked about the number of saplings planted under ‘compensatory’ afforestation during the same period.
According to the reply, 33,715 trees were
cut in the south zone alone during this period, while the north and west zones lost 16,235 and 28,313 trees, respectively. The department also stated that it had carried out compensatory afforestation to the tune of 9,80,233 saplings in these 10 years.
The west zone carried out compensatory plantation of 3,94,678 saplings, while the south and north zones planted 3,77,103 and 2,08,452 saplings, respectively, the reply stated. Under the rules, for every tree that is cut down in the capital, the agency cutting it is supposed to plant 10 saplings to replace it.
The reply further stated that out of the saplings planted in the north zone, 1,35,735 survived (65.1%) while the west zone managed to save 2,94,990 saplings (74.7%). The data for the south zone is still being compiled, it said.
The issue of tree felling had recently come into the limelight after environmental clearances were issued for the redevelopment of several south Delhi colonies, which could see over 16,500 trees cut. The move had seen petitions filed in both the Delhi high court and National Green Tribunal where a stay order on further felling of trees has been issued until the next hearing.
On Friday, the National Council of Educational Research and Training, which was accused of illegally pruned 33 trees and cutting five on its premises on Aurobindo Road, said the area was being occupied by National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration, which was a separate entity, a PTI report stated. “NCERT has nothing to do with the pruning or cutting of trees in NIEPA area,” NCERT said.
(Representative image)
