‘DON’T CHOP OFF TREES’
Delhi — besides being the capital of India is also touted as the nation’s cultural and power hub. However, the city has been infamous for women safety issues and an alarming level of pollution that plague the air, choking Delhiities.
And in this situation, where city’s air quality is struggling to reach even the ‘poor’ mark, it came as a rude shock when reports of the government clearing chopping down of 16,500 tress for some projects started making rounds.
Delhiites rose to the occasion and discussed the report on social media and various messaging platforms to urge the government to not clear the felling down of trees “at a time when one should be walking with five trees on our heads” keeping in mind the increased pollution level in the city. They even gathered at Sarojini Nagar and hugged trees of the area, reminiscent of the Chipko Andolan of 1973 — the forest conservation movement of Uttarakhand. “No amount of compensatory afforestation can justify the felling of trees,” feels Sonam Yangden, who joined the signature campaign to save Delhi’s green cover. Some activists even asked people to give missed call on certain numbers to show their support to the movement. The felling has been put on hold by the Delhi High Court till July 4, when they will hear the matter and take a call. Meanwhile, here’s what Delhi has to say.