The Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party was indulging in “cheap political gimmicks” over issue of tree felling after its government issued necessary permission for redevelopment of residential facilities for Central government employees.
‘Sensitive issue’
“It is sad to see cheap political gimmicks being played on such a sensitive issue by the Delhi government after it issued permission to fell trees,” Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari said.
Mr. Tiwari said he belongs to an agrarian family and reports on tree felling and the “Chipko-type movement” agitation by the AAP has left him disturbed.
Green character
“It is sad that Kejriwal’s party is belittling for sheer politics the piousness and significance of the Chipko Andolan, which was run to save the green character of an entire terrain, by comparing it to the present situation, where the green character of the area will not be disturbed except for a very small area,” stated a press release issued by the party,” the Delhi BJP president said.
“...I firmly believe the existing green cover should not be cut until inevitable. It was the Delhi government which gave mandatory permission for felling and replantation of trees as required under law in full knowledge of the Minister concerned, Imran Hussain, and therefore the ongoing drama by the ruling party is nothing more then a cheap gimmick,” he said.
“The project authorities have ensured that almost three saplings are planted for every one tree cut, and most of these new saplings will grow up by the time the project is completed within two years,” the State unit president said.
Mr. Tiwari said a delegation of the Delhi BJP will soon meet Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and request him to see that as many trees as possible are spared from cutting or are transplanted in the vicinity, and new saplings are planted before the monsoon.
Protests on Sunday
Locals, activists and environmentalists protested on Sunday against the government’s order to fell thousands of trees for redevelopment of seven south Delhi colonies.
