- Delhi is the most one among top most polluted Capital Cities in the World. The Authorities care to hoots. They are hell bent on killing Ecology of the Capital City. Both the National Highway Authority and National Building Construction Company are playing havoc with the environment throughout the Country.
- Now once again the Department of Environment & Forests has granted permissions for indiscriminate felling of 3000 trees and transplantation of 3500 trees despite the fact that NHAI has not demonstrated any expertise and capacity to transplant the trees nor it has disclosed the land in possession for carrying out compensatory afforestation of 30,000 trees in lieu of cutting 3000 Trees. The status of trees felled and trees to be planted and actually planted by various Govt agencies as per CAG Report No. 3 of 2018, Page No. 130 is as under:-
Table 3.4.4:
Details of compensatory tree planting by institutional
|
Permit Holders
|
Tree felled in 2014-17
|
Plantation
obligation
|
Actual
Plantation
|
|
Forest Dept.
|
Permit Holders
|
Forest Dept.
|
Permit Holders
|
-
|
3,261
|
0
|
40,000
|
*
|
2,000
|
-
|
1,162
|
11,620
|
0
|
*
|
0
|
-
|
1,123
|
5,835
|
8,165
|
*
|
1,354
|
|
2
|
457
|
2,220
|
2,910
|
*
|
0
|
|
3
|
337
|
1,385
|
1,985
|
*
|
877
|
|
4
|
145
|
25
|
1,425
|
*
|
375
|
|
5
|
388
|
1,940
|
1,940
|
*
|
50
|
-
|
3978
|
13,918
|
24,758
|
*
|
33,222
|
|
Test Checked
|
2,220
|
8,828
|
15,688
|
*
|
158
|
|
6
|
1,119
|
5,110
|
6,120
|
|
3,160
|
|
Test Checked
|
409
|
2,915
|
4,335
|
|
1,760
|
- The indiscriminate felling of trees despite tall claims by all the Respondents of having carried out huge compensatory afforestation, has reduced the Capital City of Delhi to a Gas Chamber. If we go by the number of trees claimed to have been planted by all the statutory authorities jointly and severally , the Capital City of Delhi would have been lush green without even a single inch of barren land, free from the dust/air pollution and water table would not have depleted to alarming levels, last but not the least the temperatures would not have been shooting up every year. The status of trees felled, trees to be planted and trees actually planted by the Respondent (Forest Department) as per CAG Report No. 3, 2018, Page No. 129 is tabulated below:-
Table 3.4.3:
Compensatory Plantation done by Forest Department
|
Year Ended March
|
Total No. of Trees felled
|
Planting of compensatory trees by Forest Department
Deficit
|
|
Obligation
|
Trees actually planted
|
Deficit
|
-
|
4,461
|
22,305
|
16,718
|
5,587
|
-
|
3,933
|
19,665
|
1,780
|
17,885
|
-
|
4,624
|
23,120
|
2,550
|
20,570
|
|
|
13,018
|
65,090
|
21,048
|
44,042
|
- It is a fact that Capital City of Delhi is one among the World’s most polluted Capital having all kinds of Pollution – dust, smog, noise and air. It is also matter of concern that as per studies released by prominent doctors and WHO, a new-born child also inhales pollution equivalent to 18 cigarettes a day, which is a serious health hazard. This is the precise reason that the number of cases of cancer and of cardiovascular diseases are rising sharply.
- Consequent to rampant felling of trees, there natural mechanism of recharging water table has suffered a serious setback, consequently, the water table is depleting at an alarming rate and as per NITI Aayog Report the Capital City would dry up by 2021.
- CHETNA had filed an application before NGT, in which by order dated 29th August 2019, a factual report has ben sought for from Department of Forests by NGT.
- We all shall have to work together for protection of Trees as we need oxygen, shade, water, fruits and also ecological balance of nature.