In a shocking environmental disaster, over 50 mature trees were allegedly chopped down without legal permission on a plot adjacent to the National Institute of Immunology near Himachal Apartments in Dwarka Sector 5, New Delhi. This unexpected act of mass deforestation has triggered widespread outrage among residents, environmental activists, and the general public, with many likening it to the recent tree-cutting controversy at Hyderabad University. In that case, large-scale clearing for an IT park project sparked nationwide protests. The situation in Dwarka now appears to follow a similar path of unauthorized ecological destruction.
According to eye-witness accounts, the tree felling began on Tuesday, when heavy-duty JCB machines entered the premises and rapidly began cutting down a wide variety of native trees, including Neem, Babool, Ficus, Sheesham, Shahtooth, and Semal. Some of these trees reportedly had girths exceeding 15 cm and heights over one foot, indicating their maturity and the crucial role they played in the local ecosystem. Disturbingly, the entire operation was carried out without any visible authorization from the Department of Forest and Wildlife (DFW), which is mandatory under Delhi’s forest regulations.
When the JCB machines returned on Wednesday to continue the deforestation, alert residents quickly contacted the Delhi Police and the forest department. Officials from both agencies arrived on the scene and halted the activity. A preliminary investigation revealed that no permits had been issued for the cutting of trees on this land. Forest department officers have confirmed that a full-scale inquiry is underway and that the culprits — allegedly connected to the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) — will be penalized. The department has also stated that even transporting the chopped trees from the site requires official permission, which had not been sought in this case.
The visuals from the site paint a grim picture. Once a lush, tree-filled patch that served as a green lung in the urban chaos of Dwarka, the area now resembles a construction site devoid of life. Locals have described the incident as nothing short of “a massacre of nature.” One resident of Himachal Apartments shared, “We were shocked to see such blatant disregard for the environment. These trees took years to grow, and they were all destroyed in a matter of hours — without any accountability or prior notice.”
Environmentalists and citizen groups have raised deep concerns about the ecological implications of such unauthorized deforestation. Trees play a vital role in improving air quality, preventing soil erosion, supporting biodiversity, and combating climate change. Given Delhi’s alarming pollution levels and rising urban temperatures, losing over 50 mature trees without a compensatory plantation or prior assessment is a devastating setback. Experts say it could severely impact the local microclimate and contribute to the deteriorating environmental health of the capital.
The incident also draws chilling parallels to the Hyderabad University controversy, where nearly 400 acres of forest land are reportedly under threat for an upcoming IT park project. In both cases, government institutions are being accused of bypassing environmental laws and public consultation procedures in the name of development. “It’s as if green cover is seen as an obstacle to progress rather than a foundation of sustainable urban planning,” noted a member of an NGO working on urban ecology.
Forest department official investigating the matter, confirmed that a detailed tree count is currently in progress and that further action will be based on the investigation’s findings. Another official added that the department is identifying individuals and agencies involved in the act. The CPWD, a central government body responsible for infrastructure development, is allegedly at the center of this unauthorized activity. If found guilty, the department could face significant penalties and stricter scrutiny on future projects.
In the meantime, Dwarka residents are demanding transparency, restoration, and accountability. They are urging the authorities to publicly share the investigation findings, ensure replantation of lost trees, and take firm action against those responsible. Several citizen groups are also calling for a real-time tree-monitoring system in Delhi, where permissions for tree felling can be tracked, and violations reported by the public. Such digital transparency, they say, is essential to prevent future green crimes.
Delhi has already been listed among the world’s most polluted cities, and with urban heat islands increasing due to unchecked construction, every tree matters. This incident is not just about illegal tree cutting — it is about the future of urban sustainability. As one eco-activist aptly put it, “If we don’t protect the trees, we’re not just losing nature — we’re losing our own future.”
As this story continues to develop, locals remain vigilant. They’ve promised to protect every remaining tree in their neighborhood and are urging fellow Delhiites to join the movement. Because in the end, saving trees is not just about the environment — it’s about survival.
Stay tuned to ibizznews for further updates.
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