* Over 38,000 trees have been cut in Delhi since 2005 for various projects, an RTI application filed by The Indian Express finds
* Ten trees should be replanted as “compensation” for each tree cut, says the law
* At least 3,80,000 saplings should have been replanted, says simple mathematics
* Only 57,584 saplings have been planted instead, RTIs and investigations reveal

Cut to the chase: that, in effect, is Delhi’s green story.

Figures compiled from responses to a Right To Information (RTI) application filed by The Indian Express say 38,372 trees have been cut by the MCD, NDMC, DDA, the Public Works Department and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

Taking into account trees cut by other agencies and individuals, experts say the figure could be well over 50,000.

As per the Delhi Tree Preservation Act, 1994, for every tree cut the agency responsible is required to plant 10 saplings. The agency also has to submit a security deposit of Rs 1,000 per tree cut, according to law — the amount can be reclaimed once the compensatory re-plantation is done.

While 3,83,720 saplings should have been replanted for the trees cut in the past four years, figures collated from the RTI show that only the city’s West Division has performed as per requirement. It has so far replanted 35,040 sapling — against 8,033 trees cut. But the other divisions said that in many cases re-plantation is “yet to be ascertained.”

North division, for instance, gave permission to cut 8,229 trees in the past three years but only 13,634 saplings have been planted “for certain” till now. The North division replied that it is yet to ascertain whether 23,470 additional saplings that were to be planted have indeed seen light of day.

... contd.