Tree felling on Aurobindo Marg: Forest officials pulled up

Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain on Monday pulled up the Forest Department officials, following a protest by environment activists against the felling of trees on the  Aurobindo Marg. The minister directed the officials to find an amicable solution to the problem.

A plan to widen the 8km stretch has been sanctioned by the government, and as part of it, the trees are being felled. A delegation of activists, led by Padmavati Dwivedi, who has been vehmently protesting against the felling of trees on the stretch, had met the minister to discuss the issue, following which he called for a meeting with the government officers.

Hussain directed all the departments concerned, including Forest, Public Works Department (PWD), and the Delhi Traffic Police to come to a consensus over the issue. He also asked the environmentalists to get in touch with the special task force led by the DCP (Traffic) on this issue. 

“Both preserving trees as well as removing traffic congestion are priorities of the government. The departments must, however, give better suggestions on how to deal with the issue,” he said. Besides, Hussain raised concerns regarding air pollution and said more trees need to be planted to increase Delhi’s green cover.  

“The poor quality of air is responsible for falling health standards, leading to diseases such as asthma, bronchitis etc, among children and elderly citizens. The green cover acts as a buffer against air pollution. A holistic solution to the problem needs to be evolved,” he added.