The Times of India 25.07.2012
Residents, councillor spar over trees
NEW DELHI: A group of Jangpura Extension residents
and the area councillor Ravi Kalsi are at loggerheads over the latter's
plans to relocate five neem trees from a neighbourhood park. The
residents have complained against Kalsi to South Delhi Municipal
Corporation's zonal office, alleging that he is trying to relocate the
trees without permission. However, the Congress leader argues that most
residents of the area favour removal of the trees to plant grass.
"The trees were planted by the residents with the help of the then councillor and MCD officials. The councillor wants to destroy the green lung of the area. Though he doesn't have necessary permission, he is determined to relocate these trees,'' said Sharon Lowen, a resident of Jangpura Extension. Seerath Narindra, another resident, said, "The councillor has not taken any permission from the competent authorities for this."
Asked whether he had the forest department's permission, Kalsi said, "I don't need any permission. I'll relocate these trees from here. I'll not let these trees grow here. People of this area want a park which has grass. But due to trees, it is difficult to grow grass here. I'll do what the majority wants."
A group of residents, mostly women, have been actively involved in the maintenance of this park. "If the other residents had a problem, they should have objected to it when these trees were planted. The decision to plant these trees was taken by the residents and MCD's horticulture department. The councillor should respect the efforts made by the residents. There are more than 40 parks in the area. The councillor can plant grass anywhere. Why are they focusing only on this park?'' said Jagdish Mamgain, former area councillor and president of Progressive Party.
Following complaints from the residents, the forest department carried out a survey of the area. "Of the five, two qualify as trees and the rest are saplings. We have not received any request from the civic agency to relocate these two neem trees. If any damage is caused to the trees, the civic agency will be held responsible,'' said Prashant Rajgopal, deputy conservator of forest.
While the councillor is firm on relocating the trees, the south corporation's zonal horticulture department has directed its staff to not alter anything. "We have directed the staff not to relocate these trees and saplings without orders from the zonal office. We can't relocate trees without permission from the forest department,'' said an official. Kishan Kumar, deputy commissioner of south corporation's central zone, said, "There is a proper procedure for relocating trees. We have not received any request from the area councillor (Kalsi) to relocate any tree. If a request is made, we will evaluate if it is really necessary to relocate the tree, and accordingly forward the request."
Environment group Green Circle has come to the rescue of the residents who have been trying to protect the trees. "There should be zero tolerance towards such attempts. We will not allow people to destroy the green lung pockets in Delhi. We will visit the park and support the residents in there fight to save nature," said Suhas Borker, founder of Green Circle-Delhi.
"The trees were planted by the residents with the help of the then councillor and MCD officials. The councillor wants to destroy the green lung of the area. Though he doesn't have necessary permission, he is determined to relocate these trees,'' said Sharon Lowen, a resident of Jangpura Extension. Seerath Narindra, another resident, said, "The councillor has not taken any permission from the competent authorities for this."
Asked whether he had the forest department's permission, Kalsi said, "I don't need any permission. I'll relocate these trees from here. I'll not let these trees grow here. People of this area want a park which has grass. But due to trees, it is difficult to grow grass here. I'll do what the majority wants."
A group of residents, mostly women, have been actively involved in the maintenance of this park. "If the other residents had a problem, they should have objected to it when these trees were planted. The decision to plant these trees was taken by the residents and MCD's horticulture department. The councillor should respect the efforts made by the residents. There are more than 40 parks in the area. The councillor can plant grass anywhere. Why are they focusing only on this park?'' said Jagdish Mamgain, former area councillor and president of Progressive Party.
Following complaints from the residents, the forest department carried out a survey of the area. "Of the five, two qualify as trees and the rest are saplings. We have not received any request from the civic agency to relocate these two neem trees. If any damage is caused to the trees, the civic agency will be held responsible,'' said Prashant Rajgopal, deputy conservator of forest.
While the councillor is firm on relocating the trees, the south corporation's zonal horticulture department has directed its staff to not alter anything. "We have directed the staff not to relocate these trees and saplings without orders from the zonal office. We can't relocate trees without permission from the forest department,'' said an official. Kishan Kumar, deputy commissioner of south corporation's central zone, said, "There is a proper procedure for relocating trees. We have not received any request from the area councillor (Kalsi) to relocate any tree. If a request is made, we will evaluate if it is really necessary to relocate the tree, and accordingly forward the request."
Environment group Green Circle has come to the rescue of the residents who have been trying to protect the trees. "There should be zero tolerance towards such attempts. We will not allow people to destroy the green lung pockets in Delhi. We will visit the park and support the residents in there fight to save nature," said Suhas Borker, founder of Green Circle-Delhi.
