Tree Protest By KNC Students

23.02.2010

Description:

It started on the morning of 23rd February 2010, with a group of students skipping classes to stop the felling of some trees opposite Kamala Nehru College.

By afternoon, it became an 'issue' for the Government as we were 'disrupting' their work.

The CPWD has been asked to UPROOT eleven trees on SIRI FORT ROAD for the widening of roads. Even though they have got permission from the Forest Department to do so, there is NO PERMISSION from the UTTIPEC for widening of roads. In spite of the Supreme Court order which requires a mandatory permit from UTTIPEC, the CPWD is going ahead with the cutting of trees ILLEGALLY.

Also, if the roads are widened, there won't be any footpath for pedestrians to walk on. Is two weeks of Commonwealth Games reason enough for the government to cut these tress and put the lives of thousands of college students at risk??

24.02.2010

The first protest took place on 24February. It started around 10am and went on till 1pm. We were able to postpone the felling if trees, but no on k new till exactly how long.

http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/25/stories/2010022558670200.htm

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Girl-power-resists-chopping-drive/articleshow/5613693.cms

06.03.2010

The PWD resumed their work on the night of 5th March around 10pm. We were able to stop the felling of trees that time too but immediate action needed to be taken to put an end to this. Another protest was organised on March6th against the PWD. Participation of people had died out majorly, as only the very few who actually felt for the cause were present. Nevertheless, we continued with out POA.

13.03.2010

The fight is still going on with no outcome as such. The deadline of the feeling of trees has been extended from March end to July end, ensuring that the work is done as soon as we start with our summer breaks.

All the time people talk about raising their voices against the wrongs that are being done. But it's strange that when you actually do that, not many join you. Moreover, you are suppressed even before you start. "Tum system ko nahi, system tumhe badalta hai" has a whole new meaning for me after going through all this for more than 2weeks now.

Two weeks of Commonwealth Games does not mean we sacrifice our environment and risk thousands of young lives.

Join us on http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&ref=ss&gid=322711103667 and help our voices get heard.

Pictures: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=photos&ref=ss&gid=322711103667

Videos: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=361264443128&oid=322711103667

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnkBlU0LwaY

Disappointed,

Mish-ika

Blame it on the rains?

Friday rains brought the city to a complete standstill. Whole of page 4 in Sunday Times was devoted to the consequences of the heavy rainfall the capital had witnessed two days earlier.

The tree toll, as reported by NDMC was 100, and over 119 by the MCD, although the residents claim that the figure could be much higher. The main reasons for such a high number of trees getting uprooted are stated to be lack of proper care, trees growing old, and lately concretization around trees. This caused massive traffic jams and major power disruption all over the city. The water logging on the roads that slowed down traffic to such a large extent show how unprepared our city is for rains. One shower and the city comes to a halt!! The MCD also refused to get trees cleared from residential areas because that's not a part of their job. Only public places are supposed to be cleared by them!

Power was disrupted in many areas for as long as 5 hours. Areas in east Delhi, like Mayur Vihar, waited till 10pm for power to be restored. Discoms said that they had to employ extra manpower to attend to the crisis. There were about 12 trippings of 11KV lines. as reported by the NDPL. Some areas had to wait till morning for electricity.

If this is what rains can do to our city, I'd be rather thankful that we are having irregular monsoons. Whats the point of praying for rains in a city like ours which becomes dysfunctional after every shower?