In a bid to convert the footpaths into parking spaces, these patches of carefully cultivated trees and plants are being destroyed everywhere. Several sectors like 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 22 and 23 are glaring examples of this callous concretisation.
What was once a green stretch along a residential road of Sector 6 is now nothing but a concrete slope leading to a parking space
The green patches separating the roads and footpaths of the subcity are now fast disappearing. This is especially true for roads adjoining residential apartments. “In a bid to convert the footpaths into parking spaces, these patches of carefully cultivated trees and plants are being destroyed everywhere. The green areas are being converted into slopes so that the footpaths can directly be assessed from the main road,” informs a commuter who spoke to our City Spidey reporter.
Several sectors like 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 22 and 23 are glaring examples of this callous concretisation.
On a stretch of Road Number 201, which goes towards Sector 6, the green patches on either sides of the road (adjacent to residential apartments) have been cemented. Vehicles are perennially parked on the footpaths.
Commenting on this callous trend, Rejimon CK, vice president of Dwarka Forum said, “This practice should be immediately curbed by the authorities. I have written several letters to them on the issue, but there have been no satisfactory response. With this rampant concretisation, we are also losing our rainwater harvesting spaces.”
So why is DDA silent on the issue? Is it not adequately aware of the mammoth scale in which this concretisation is happening? “Without its knowledge, this could not have happened. Infact, some DDA officials must be secretly supporting the people who are destroying the green cover,” said Ramesh Mumukshu, an RTI activist of Dwarka.
Diwan Singh, an environment activist and resident of Sector 23, rued, “DDA and the residential community of Dwarka are equally to blame. The destruction of the green covers is detrimental for soil hygiene, ecology and ultimately people. I take this opportunity to appeal to all the residents of Dwarka to stop this practice.”
V Selvarajan, secretary of Green Circle, an organisation working on local environmental issues added, “I strongly object to and condemn the concretisation of green spaces in the subcity.”
Speaking on the subject, DDA horticulture officials said that henceforth they shall be vigilant and prevent the destruction of green covers.
