Authorities cut thousands of trees without permission: RTI
27 Aug 2014 5:03 AM IST
In a reply to an RTI (Right To Information), the district forest department has confessed that trees were cut illegally by the government departments. It, however added that appropriate action has also been taken against the offenders on various occasions. The RTI has revealed that the department had allowed to cut nearly 3,000 trees for various developmental works, but the number jumped to almost twice during the period.
The data, provided by the forest department in reply to the RTI filed by Akash Vashistha, reveals that the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) had itself cut 4,905 trees illegally in last eight years while it was allowed to cut only 1,518 trees for carrying its developmental projects.
The municipal corporation is also not behind in reducing city’s green cover. It had cut 721 trees illegally as against the permissible limit of 150. Housing development department and others are not far behind. Showing serious concern over the reducing green cover in the city, the activists have said that the authorities must take penal action against the offenders.
‘Its shocking that the government bodies itself are cutting trees without permission. If such a situation persists, the city will become tree less in future. The authorities must take note of the situation and increase city’s green cover by promoting plantation,’ said Vikrant Tongad, an
environmental activist.
The data, provided by the forest department in reply to the RTI filed by Akash Vashistha, reveals that the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) had itself cut 4,905 trees illegally in last eight years while it was allowed to cut only 1,518 trees for carrying its developmental projects.
The municipal corporation is also not behind in reducing city’s green cover. It had cut 721 trees illegally as against the permissible limit of 150. Housing development department and others are not far behind. Showing serious concern over the reducing green cover in the city, the activists have said that the authorities must take penal action against the offenders.
‘Its shocking that the government bodies itself are cutting trees without permission. If such a situation persists, the city will become tree less in future. The authorities must take note of the situation and increase city’s green cover by promoting plantation,’ said Vikrant Tongad, an
environmental activist.
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