Environment activist complains against use of decorative trees at societies
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Environment activist complains against use of decorative trees at societies

Sharma said that he has witnessed this common practice among housing projects across Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida and other parts of Delhi NCR.

Environment activist complains against use of decorative trees at societies Representative Image

A Raj Nagar Extension-based environment activist has raised an important matter which is generally overlooked by residents and even development authorities. Vikrant Sharma has complained on the ‎Integrated Grievance Redressal System (IGRS) portal the trees planted by builders inside the premises are mostly decorative and do not attain required height.  

“This is deliberately done to save space for parking and sell it to the residents,” Sharma alleged.

Sharma said that he has witnessed this common practice among housing projects across Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida and other parts of Delhi NCR.

He also said that as per building bylaws, builders are mandated to plant saplings of tree varieties which attain height as well as have wide canopy. “Trees such as Neem and Jamun are advised to be planted. They provide shade as well as more oxygen in comparison to the decorative varieties such as Ficus and Palm trees,” he added.

CitySpidey spoke to horticulture department of Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) regarding Sharma's complaint. The officials told that there are rules regarding plantation of trees inside premises of housing societies. 

“Tree species, which provide shade, is mandatory to be planted within 200 meter square of a residential area. Similarly, the number goes to two for areas up to 300 meter square. Between 300 to 500 meter square, the requirement of shade providing trees is minimum 5,” told an official.

"There is also a rule of planting 50 trees per hectare of area in group housing projects,” the official added.

Meanwhile, GDA is planning to do a survey of horticulture inside group housing societies and would also take action in case of violations. 

“We have started issuing notices to residential, commercial and industrial projects for violation of the laid norms. We have given them two weeks of time to finish it. When the time frame gets over, we will take action against violators,” said GDA Vice Chairperson Kanchan Verma.