Citizens groups to be invited to suggest locations for transplantation of trees

NEW DELHI: The NBCC/CPWD will re-work the design and plans for the remaining redevelopment of the seven GPRA colonies to avoid felling/cutting of trees.  NBCC has already floated an Expression of Interest for the acquisition of tree re-location/transplantation equipment and for engaging services of trained professional entities in this respect. Further Citizens groups will be invited to suggest where transplanted trees will be planted.

A meeting in this regard was chaired by Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State (I/C), Housing and Urban Affairs, yesterday. The meeting discussed various issues relating to re-development of seven GPRA colonies in the particular context of the felling of trees.

In pursuance of the presentation made in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on 9 January 2018, a decision was taken to plant more than one million trees in different parts of Delhi.

It may be clarified that these will not be saplings but trees of 8-12 feet height. The planting of trees will be completed in the next three months during the monsoon season and the trees will comprise of fruit-bearing, flowering and other green trees.

Environmental and related clearances are given on the recommendations of the Forest Department of the State Government and the specific recommendation of the Minister concerned in the Government of NCT of Delhi.

Meanwhile, the LG of Delhi has been advised to set up a Group of Experts/concerned citizens to interact on environmental issues and for specific further actions to be taken in respect of these colonies.