Delhi disaster: Felling of trees for urban development is an outdated approach.

                       an example of callous urban planning, around 14,000 to 16,000 trees are being felled in Delhi to make way for government complexes and redevelopment projects. This has sparked outrage among residents, many of whom are protesting the tree felling exercise in the manner of the famous Chipko movement of the 1970s. As things stand the city suffers from poor air quality throughout the year. In summer it suffers from extraordinary heat waves due to the ‘heat island’ effect of dense urban clusters, and it is well known that trees reduce this effect. Delhi’s massive tree felling exercise is thus a classic instance of unsustainable development, which even our schoolbooks warn against these days.

Authorities are supposed to plant ten new saplings for every tree cut. However, no such compensatory plantation has taken place at some of the redevelopment sites with the building authority, NBCC, simply stating that it has transferred the amount for compensatory afforestation. This is becoming a familiar story across the country. In Bengaluru, the proposed construction of a steel flyover – which would have led to the feeling of more than 800 trees – was scrapped last year after residents opposed the project.