MCD to Plant 1,000 Trees in West Delhi After Excessive Pruning Allegations
The tree pruning in West Delhi’s Paschim Vihar, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has been directed to plant 1,000 trees during the upcoming plantation season, set to run from February to July 2025. This development follows a plea filed with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) by a concerned local resident in September 2024, who claimed that over 250 trees in the area were pruned excessively earlier in the year.
The Delhi Forest Department informed the NGT that, while permission had been granted for pruning some trees, MCD had exceeded the authorised limits. According to the department, the tree officer had explicitly directed that 1,000 new trees be planted in Paschim Vihar to compensate for the excessive pruning. This initiative aims to restore the environmental balance disrupted by the overzealous trimming of trees in the area. However, the MCD has denied any wrongdoing. The civic agency argued that all pruning was carried out with the necessary permissions from the Delhi Forest Department and at the request of the Resident Welfare Association (RWA). MCD officials maintain that the pruning was necessary for public safety and the overall health of the trees, with their actions falling within the guidelines set by the forest authorities.
Despite these denials, the Forest Department has underscored that the pruning went beyond what was authorised, leading to the directive for additional tree planting. The tree officer’s instructions to the MCD reflect the growing concern about preserving the city’s greenery amidst urban expansion. This episode underscores the delicate balance between urban development and environmental preservation, a recurring theme in many metropolitan areas like Delhi. The city’s rapid urbanisation, coupled with the increasing pressure on public spaces, often leads to such conflicts. As concerns over climate change and urban heat islands grow, protecting the urban tree cover has become a key priority for both local authorities and environmental groups.
The upcoming tree planting initiative will not only serve as a corrective measure to offset the damage caused by excessive pruning but will also enhance the city’s green spaces. The MCD has committed to planting the trees in a manner that aligns with long-term sustainability goals, with the potential to improve air quality and provide shade for residents in the area. While the controversy over tree pruning has sparked a wider conversation about the management of urban trees, it also highlights the important role residents and civic bodies play in ensuring that cities remain livable and environmentally friendly. The involvement of the local community, as seen with the RWA’s request for pruning, remains crucial, but it is equally vital that all actions adhere to environmental guidelines. As the plantation season approaches, officials and environmentalists alike will be watching closely to ensure that the commitment to planting 1,000 trees is fulfilled. This case serves as a reminder of the need for ongoing vigilance when managing urban green spaces to protect the environment and promote a sustainable future for city dwellers.
