In wake of mass tree felling, MCG to create data banks for green cover

With dwindling green cover in the city posing major threats of extinction, the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has decided to form a data bank of a number of trees in the city.

Also, strict monitoring will be undertaken by the MCG officials to preserve the green cover. The decision by MCG comes after repeated complaints of depleting green cover was reported across different parts of the city.

There are two main concerns surrounding the issues, one massive tree cut. The other is weakening roots of the trees due to urbanisation.

"It is definitely a good step. With unplanned urbanisation and selfish interests of many citizens the green cover in the city has suffered miserably.

With Gurugram now becoming one of the most polluted areas in the city the need of green cover has become much more significant," said city-based environmentalist, Ashok Aggarwal.

He also stated that along with MCG's decision, there is also a greater accountability in the number of other public agencies for preserving the trees.

On the pretext of developmental works like the expansion of the road, construction of underpasses and encroachments, thousands of trees have been uprooted in and around National Highway -8, Old Delhi Road and Gurugram- Faridabad road. Certain resident bodies have even moved to the Punjab and Haryana high court asking for the stay in projects which required the uprooting.

Many complained against the government agencies for lack of comprehensive framework. Also, the officials failed to cite clarity in the re-plantation process. Lack of coordination among various government agencies has also resulted in no accountability being fixed for the concerned agency.

"We are not against the developmental works in the city. However, there has to be accountability of the hundred of trees that are being cut down in the name of development. The main problem is that there is no centralised agency which will keep a track. So, the Gurugram residents just do not know how much of green cover is actually been lost on a daily basis," said Dhruv Bansal of Gurgaon Citizens Council.