It's a game

Delhi's trees are under an unprecedented assault. Close to 50,000 trees have been felled for making the National Capital a world class city! All this has been happening in the name of mega transport projects, particularly the high capacity bus corridor and metro. They are expected to ease the traffic woes during the peak hours.

Those planning these projects have never spared a thought for the role that urban trees, or neighbourhood trees have played in the city's life, I mean beyond the confines of air conditioned space in the office, malls and vehicles. The city is a part of a semi-arid geographical zone and this makes the neighbourhood trees critical for its inhabitants. Through its history those who occupied the seat of power here, planted and protected trees. So you have a city that has been one of the greenest in the world. Delhi draws over half of its water from the ground, and one need not stress here the importance of trees for ground water recharge.

Some feel there is a rapture between what the planners think or profess as the city's need, and what people really need.

This picture is from the very first citizen's expression against felling of trees that they have lived with for close to half a century. The dismay also sprung from the sheer ruthlessness that was exhibited by the Government. They never saw this coming. No one even bothered to inform then. It was a candlelight vigil with 100 odd people from environmental fraternity and few dozen housewives from the residential areas near this tree-line.

These two boys sell magazines at the Chiraj Delhi traffic signal. When we occupied the central verge to display banners to attract eyes in the slow-paced traffic, the two approached us for display cards. They live on the sidewalk under the trees that are being cut. They knew once the trees are gone the shadow that gave life-saving respite from the summer sun will be gone too.

There is something very soothing about big trees. They offer a sense of security that cannot felt on a cemented surface.

These homeless boys are going to loss their homes once again!