Uncontrolled growth of high-rise trees trouble Delhiites

Due to the alleged intervention of the Forest Department in trimming of high-rising trees at the colonies and streets in northwest and outer Delhi, the residents have been facing a tough time with no sunlight entering their houses and public parks. The residents have been facing a host of problems including increase in the number of diseases due to insects which have been entering their houses from the trees in the vicinity.

Alleging that the Forest Department has been stalling the work of pruning the trees, Mahendra Nagpal, Councillor of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) had written a letter to Lieutant General Anil Baijal highlighting the problems of the residents. "People have been complaining about the uncontrolled growth of the trees. It also poses a threat to their lives, as the high tension wires may snap when they come in contact with the trees. Also, if the municipal body and the Public Works Department (PWD) try to address the issue, the forest department officials intervene, thus stalling the process," the letter said.

According to the rules, the trees have to be trimmed up to eight cm by the MCD, PWD and other related departments. "While some residents want more pruning than the defined limit, others complain about it to the Forest Department, who come and stall the work," alleged the letter, adding that lack of co-ordination between the MCD, PWD and Forest Department is causing huge problems to the people. Nagpal requested the LG to take action and direct the Forest department officials to trim the trees as per the permissible limit.