A tree cut every hour over last 13 yrs: Delhi govt data

WHILE PWD GOT PERMISSION TO CUT DOWN 15,762 TREES, DMRC WAS ALLOWED TO CHOP 15,276 TREES FROM 2005 TO 2010

NEW DELHI: On average, one tree has been felled in Delhi every hour over the past 13 years, according to data shared by the Delhi government on its website following directions from the Central Information Commission (CIC) and the Delhi high court. The disclosure comes amid concern over proposed cutting of thousands of more trees to make way for new neighbourhoods. The data shows that from 2005 to February 2018, a total of 112,169 trees have been cut — an average of 24 per day.

The forest department’s data on the number of trees cut by various government agencies between 2005 and 2010 shows that the maximum number of trees were felled by Delhi government’s public works department (PWD), the main road-building agency of the city, followed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the Railways.

While PWD got permission to cut down 15,762 trees, DMRC was allowed to chop 15,276 trees. The Railways were permitted to cut 6,388 trees during the five-yearperiod.

The website does not provide agency wise data on tree-cutting after 2010.

The most recent proposal to cut at least 14,000 trees for the redevelopment of seven neighbourhoods in South Delhi to house government officials and build a world trade centre has triggered citizens’ protests and a series of litigations. In the past five years, most application for cutting of trees for civil construction have been accepted by the department with little changes, HT has reported.

Delhi environment minister Imran Hussain said: “Several trees might have been felled in the past for infrastructure and development projects. But we came to power only in 2015.”