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By APD writer Rishika Chauhan
NEW DELHI, July 23 (APD) - An online petition to stop axing of 1713 trees in New Delhi has been launched by Green activists. The trees are to be felled for the construction of an exhibition-cum-convention center at Pragati Maidan. However, the petitioners argue that the trees to be cut are more than 60 years old and the move will be detrimental for the environment.
Speaking to the media, Radhika Bhagat, who launched the petition on change.org, said, “This petition is helping bring social recognition on the Pragati Maidan tree cutting issue. A significant number of people have signed it and we want to show the authorities that this matter is crucial to the public and needs attention.”
The petition is addressed to Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change, Delhi chief minister, environment and forest minister, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state level Environment Impact Assessment Authority and India Trade Promotion Organization.
According to reports, in the last three years more than 15,000 trees have been cut in New Delhi. About 6,000 were cut in 2014-15, while 4,600 and 4,700 in 2015-16 and 2016-17.
The petition stresses,“ Delhi and National Capital Region, will suffer from the resulting pollution that will only worsen. Over the last 3 years, Delhi has already lost 15,000 trees to development and we cannot afford to lose any more.”
It further adds, “Do you feel embarrassed and worried to be living in the most polluted city on our planet? Are you concerned about your and your dear ones health due to Delhi’s consistently hazardous levels of air quality? ... Here is your chance to take action about this situation by protecting the lungs of Delhi, the trees.”
So far the petition has been signed by hundreds of concerned citizens.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
