South Delhi locals recreate ‘Chipko Movement’ against felling trees

Citizens from all age groups took to the streets near Sarojini Nagar metro station and scores of them hugged trees near the flats which are to be razed and formed groups around large trees.

The government’s controversial redevelopment plan for South Delhi has hit a hurdle with locals in large numbers recreating the 1970s’ ‘Chipko Movement’ on Sunday in an attempt to stop more than 16,000 fully-grown trees from being cut to make way for gover 

Citizens from all age groups took to the streets near Sarojini Nagar metro station and scores of them hugged trees near the flats which are to be razed and formed groups around large trees, holding placards with messages such as ‘Save Trees, Save Delhi’, ‘Don’t cut down life, cut your greed’.  (EPS | Parveen Negi)

Word of felling of the large number of trees has spread like wildfire and social media campaigns are being organised to protect the trees, giving the issue a political turn. (EPS | Parveen Negi)

Meanwhile, a petition has been moved in the National Green Tribunal against cutting of the trees. (EPS | Parveen Negi)

According to the petition, permission for cutting the trees has not been obtained from Delhi Pollution Control Commission, the authority that grants permission for cutting trees in Delhi.  (EPS | Parveen Negi)

“For the last four months I was asking the government about its environmental clearance. For three months I got no replies. How can you openly violate law,” said petitioner Anil Sood. (EPS | Parveen Negi)

People hug a tree at Sarojini Nagar to protest against the proposed felling of around 16,500 trees in south Delhi, on Sunday, 24 June 2018. (EPS | Parveen Negi)