Hundreds form human chain against felling of 2,500 trees for Jaipur unity mall project
Hundreds of men, women, children, the elderly, social rights activists and youngsters on Sunday formed a human chain in protest against the felling of around 2,500 trees in Jaipur. The protest, held under the 'Save Dol Ka Badh' campaign, was aimed at maintaining Jaipur's ecological equilibrium.The protesters claimed that the cutting of trees in the Dol Ka Badh area in such large numbers could severely deplete the green cover in the area, raising serious environmental concerns. As per an estimate, there are about 2,500 trees in the 'Dol Ka Badh' area, including the Khejri tree, considered an important constituent of the ecosystem.advertisement"We do not want the cutting down of trees in such large numbers to take place over here. If allowed, it will cause harm to the environment. The government wants to build a mall out here but at what cost?", one of the activists said while speaking to India Today.
The state government, in partnership with the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO), is planning to build the Prime Minister Unity Mall, an ambitious project to showcase the tribal legacy.However, protestors have said they would have made a leeway if authorities decided to use 30 acres of of the 100-acre land with low tree density for the mall project."In an area of 100 acres of land, they could have decided to make use of 30 acres of land with low tree density for some of the projects they wish to carry out," one of the campaigners told India Today TV.advertisementOther projects that are being planned in the area include a revamped Fintech Park apart from several commercial projects.Over the last few months, the 'Save Dol Ka Baadh' campaign has become a pivotal point for bringing together hundreds of activists, primarily youngsters, to protest against the felling of trees in the dense green area, key to ensuring clean air for Jaipur south.Those associated with the 'Save Dol Ka Baadh campaign' have claimed to have geotagged the trees as evidence of those that have been cut or uprooted from their location.Apart from that, more than 80 species of birds, campaigners claim, used to visit the forest, which is rich in ecological diversity, but that their numbers have reduced since the felling of trees and construction work began in the area.The protesters were also critical of the state government, particularly Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, who, they claimed, was against the felling of trees and the construction of the shopping complex when she was in Opposition, but is not paying any heed to their requests now.
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