Saving Delhi’s trees

Saving Delhi’s trees

Article:

1. Manju Menon and Kanchi Kohli are environmental researchers at Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi, said Delhi residents are protesting against deforestation for construction projects.

Important Analysis:

2. Delhi residents have been protesting against the government’s approval for felling over 14,000 trees in South Delhi.

3. The National Buildings Construction Corporation is facing several criticisms in this regard.

4. The Corporation, tasked with redeveloping half a dozen south Delhi colonies, recently assured the Delhi High Court that no trees would be cut for the project.

5. The project involving huge investment was designed by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

6. The project was approved  by the Union Cabinet in 2017.

7. They have been declared “smart” and “green” despite their ecological impacts such as high water usage and tree loss

8. The National Green Tribunal in September 2017 challenge these projects.

9. Atleast five of the seven projects received environment clearances between November and June.

10. From 2006, most construction projects have been approved based on an application form instead of detailed assessment reports.

11. In 2014, schools, colleges and hostels for educational institutions were exempted from taking environment clearances as long as they followed specific sustainability parameters.

12. In 2016, projects with areas of less than 20,000 sq m were permitted to proceed as long as they submitted a self-declaration ensuring adherence to environmental norms.

13. The residents are now appealing to the government to embrace inclusive ways of redesigning the city.

14. The governments could join hands by committing to review these projects.