Question : MAINTENANCE OF TREES

(a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to the newsitem captioned `No place for trees in this concrete jungle` appearing in the `Times of India` dated February 19, 2000;

(b) if so, the facts reported therein and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether the DDA/MCD culture is killing trees through concrete jungle all over the capital city;

(d) if so, whether the other States have a tendency to imitate the Union Capital thus bringing terrible environmental loss and destruction including shortage of subsoil water; and

(e) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT ( SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA )

(a): Yes, Sir.

(b): The Local Bodies have been advised to stop filling and concretising around the trees. Whereever there was concrete portion near the trees, the same has been removed to ensure proper growth/survival of trees. A survey was carried out earlier by the Forest Research Institute, Dehradoon and their recommendations have been implemented for improving survival of old trees. Nailing of trees has also been removed. The agencies involved in digging of trenches for cable laying, sewer lines, construction of subways, road widening etc. are required to take prior permission to carry out their works, so that no damage is done to the roots of the trees. Proper and timely manuring and watering is being done. The insecticide and pesticide treatment is being done regularly. Healthy plants with sufficient height are provided in place of dead and dry trees by the horticulture staff.

(c): No, Sir.

(d)&(e): The Government has constituted a Committee to formulate guidelines for Municipal Agencies to stop environmental damage due to unnecessary and wasteful building exercises.