‘22 trees felled at Lodhi Gardens’

NEW DELHI: A Delhi-based environmental NGO has accused New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) of chopping at least 22 fully grown Ashoka trees at Lodhi Gardens—well beyond the “permissible” pruning limit under Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994. In a letter sent to the Delhi forest and wildlife department, New Delhi Nature Society (NDNS) has said that 22 “healthy” Ashoka trees have been felled at Lodhi Garden.
“On Sunday, I found that 22 healthy Ashoka trees had been felled (head-backed) in Lodhi Gardens by NDMC. All the tree canopies were completely removed. These trees were not even a threat to anybody’s life or property,” said Verhaen Khanna, founder of NDNS.
The NGO has also attached photographs in the letter, asking the forest department to act immediately. “You are requested to follow procedure under Section 8 of Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994,” Khanna added.
When contacted, the forest department said they have already formed a team of officials to inspect the trees and determine the extent of the damage caused. “The team will first assess if they were fully grown trees or not. They will also determine how much damage is caused and whether it is beyond the permissible limits. Later, we will check if permission was sought for the same,” said Ishwar Singh, principal chief conservator of forests .
“A report will be prepared and if anyone is found to be guilty, we will initiate immediate action in the matter,” added Singh.
A senior NDMC official, however, denied the allegations and said no trees had been cut or chopped. They have only been pruned to improve their shape, he added.
“These are not trees, but topiary planted in different sizes and shapes to give an aesthetic look to the garden. We don’t need permission from the forest department to prune them as per requirement, unlike full-fledged trees grown in forest, roadsides or even park areas. Another reason for pruning these 15 plants was to allow sufficient sunlight in nearby butterfly garden. With sufficient sunlight, citrus plants can attract butterflies. We are doing everything in a planned manner,” the official said.