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Green loss lens on forest department
Toxics Link Source: Hindustan Times, Date: , 2013
Delhiās forest department came under the
scanner of experts and residents on Wednesday during a daylong discussion
session titled āDelhiās dying trees.ā
Noted filmmaker and environmentalist Pradip
Krishen, who took part in the discussion, said: āI often wonder how Delhiās
forest department envisions its role. Thereās a lot they can do. They can save
the ridge forest. In the last several years that I have been working in the
ridge area, I have not come across a single forest department staff thereā.
Krishen whose book āTrees of Delhiā is
considered a Bible for environmentalists said it was bad for the forest
department to have said that trees and greenery could not come up in a dry,
rocky terrain. āThe area may not be good for agriculture but it is an excellent
for forestry. In a similar but steep countryside near Faridabad, this has been
happening,ā he said.
Ravi Agarwal of NGO Toxics Link, who
moderated the session held at India International Centre, said, āDelhi has
transformed from a green capital to a concrete jungle in less than a decadeā.
āTens of thousands of trees have been felled for roads, flyovers, Metro,
Commonwealth Games, and new constructions. Those remaining have been imprisoned
in concrete pavements, or their branches chopped off brutally. Despite the
governmentās claim of increase green cover, it is clear that there are fewer
trees around,ā he said.Ā
Responding to some tough questions ranging
from ruthless pruning to shortage of staff posed by residents, Delhiās chief
conservator of forests AK Shukla said, āWeāre doing what we can. Civic agencies
should also shoulder some responsibility. Delhi has a feudal mindset. People
use their green areas for dumping garbage.ā
Shukla, however, admitted that concrete
tiling and metal guards were killing trees and that a large number of saplings
were being planted every year but their survival rate was a concern.
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