In a distressing blow to Delhi’s already fragile green cover, more than 100 trees were illegally felled in broad daylight on a plot adjoining the National Institute of Immunology near Himachal Apartments in Dwarka Sector 5. This unpermitted act of environmental destruction has sparked widespread anger among residents, nature lovers, and activists who are now demanding urgent legal action and a public apology from those responsible.
The tree-cutting, reportedly carried out using JCB machines, began earlier this week without any visible authorization from the Delhi Forest Department. Trees like Neem, Babool, Ficus, Sheesham, Shahtooth, and Semal, many of which had matured over years, were brutally flattened in a matter of hours. Residents allege that the operation happened in secrecy and was shockingly reminiscent of the Hyderabad University deforestation controversy, where green spaces were cleared for construction under disputed permissions.
Local witnesses say the tree felling began on Tuesday. By Wednesday, when the machines returned to resume the destruction, alert citizens sprang into action—calling in Delhi Police and forest officials, who arrived on-site and put an immediate stop to the activity. Upon inspection, authorities confirmed that no valid tree-felling permit had been issued for the plot in question. According to officials, even removing the felled wood from the site would require separate approval, which was not granted.
One visibly distraught resident remarked, “This wasn’t just deforestation—it was a calculated assault on nature. These trees were home to birds, shielded us from pollution, and cooled our surroundings. Their loss is a blow to our community’s soul.”
What makes this event particularly alarming is the alleged involvement of CPWD (Central Public Works Department), a central government agency known for infrastructure work. If proven responsible, it would raise serious questions about the department’s adherence to ecological norms and forest clearance procedures. Forest department official Sahil, part of the probe team, confirmed that a tree census is currently underway, and legal action will follow based on investigation results.
From an environmental perspective, this incident is more than a local scandal—it’s part of a disturbing pattern. With increasing reports of illegal tree cutting in urban India, experts are warning of irreversible consequences for biodiversity, climate resilience, and public health. Mature trees are vital in controlling urban heat islands, filtering air pollutants, managing stormwater runoff, and providing habitat to countless species.
Residents are also pushing for technological solutions: a real-time tree monitoring dashboard accessible to the public, stronger legal safeguards against unauthorized cutting, and penalties not just for contractors but for administrative heads who allow such destruction.
“Urban development can’t come at the cost of ecological collapse,” said a Delhi-based ecologist. “If every patch of green is seen as real estate waiting to be converted, then our cities will soon become concrete ovens—inhospitable, unhealthy, and unsustainable.”
This tragedy in Dwarka is not an isolated incident. It is a wake-up call. It exposes the urgent need for better green governance, transparent permissions, and citizen-driven oversight in urban planning.
As the forest department continues its probe, locals remain firm in their demand: replant the trees, punish the guilty, and protect what’s left. The future of Delhi’s green lungs might just depend on how seriously this incident is treated.
Stay tuned newsdailyupdates for more updates.
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