PWD told to save the tree it damaged in south Delhi

NEW DELHI: The Forest Department has asked the Public Works Department (PWD) on Sunday, February 7, to save a tree at Meera Marg in Lodhi Colony. The body allegedly damaged the tree while constructing a drain. Last year, almost 30 trees were damaged due to such construction while a total of 12 were damaged in January, this year.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had directed public authorities in 2013 to deconstruct the area around trees and said that there should be no construction zone within a one-metre radius of the trunk. The court has asked the SHO of the concerned police station to file an affidavit about whether any staff had noticed any ongoing civil work and related damage to the trees.

In 2020, New Delhi Nature Society had filed a contempt case in the high court seeking action for damaging around 30 trees. The court stated, “Let due caution be exercised by PWD in all its civil construction works and all the future projects.”