Give an affidavit on stopping felling of trees, AAP to Centre

In wake of Union Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announcing replanning the redevelopment project involving axing down of 17,000 trees here, Delhi's ruling AAP on Friday demanded that the Central government give an affidavit that the cutting of trees will stop.

AAP chief spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj told the media here said: "With his tweet, Hardeep Singh Puri said that without compensatory plantation of trees, he will not let even a single tree to be cut from now on. Now, we demand that the Central government on July 4, sign an affidavit in (the Delhi High) court that will stop the chopping down of trees in Delhi."

He also demanded an apology from Puri for price hike in Delhi metro, the sealing drive in the capital, and axing of trees for the central government's redevelopment project.

After facing backlash against chopping down of over 17,000 fully grown trees, Puri on Thursday called for an urgent meeting with all the stakeholders.

"I have always maintained that the green cover in Delhi will not be damaged and steps will be taken to enhance it even further.

"As stated earlier, no trees will henceforth be cut in the process of redevelopment of Delhi colonies.

"I chaired a meeting of all stakeholders where NBCC/CPWD have been asked to rework and redesign the plans. We will also go ahead with compensatory plan of planting 1 million trees within the next 3 months. Citizen groups will be invited to suggest locations for transplantation, " he tweeted after the meeting.

--IANS

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