Sri Vijaya Puram, Dec.12: A group of spirited school children from Delhi has proven that even the youngest among us can drive meaningful change. While on a holiday to Sri Vijaya Puram, the children noticed encasement of trees in concrete, a problem they were already familiar with in many parts of the country as well as in the world. Motivated to make a difference, the group surveyed and documented around 300 trees across the city and presented their findings to Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Corporation. Their effort has caught the attention of local authorities, shedding light on an issue concerning urban planning .
The issue of trees suffocated by concrete isn’t new. Eco Saviours, an environmental advocacy group, the children are associated with, has been working tirelessly in Delhi, Gurgaon, and Faridabad to de-concretize trees. Their efforts were instrumental in a landmark policy change in Gurgaon, mandating a one-meter radius ( as per the NGT Guidelines ) around trees be left free of concrete in all civil works.
Fateh J. S. Dhaliwal of Eco Saviours emphasized the importance of pre-emptive measures, saying, “Freeing trees from concrete later can damage their roots. It’s crucial to have a policy in place to prevent this during urban development.” Aryan Mago, another passionate member of the group, shared the organization’s broader vision: “We aim for a pan-India policy change. This awareness is essential to safeguard trees today and for future generations as urbanization accelerates.”
Adding to the discussion, Ayaan Mago and Saanvi Sehgal, members of Eco Saviours, pointed out that this issue is not confined to India. “We’ve seen the problem of concretization in cities like Paris and Zurich during our travels to these countries,” they said. “It’s a global issue that needs urgent attention. Trees are vital to our planet, and their roots need space to breathe, no matter where in the world they are.”
Their initiative has inspired action in Sri Vijaya Puram as well. Amit Kale, Former Secretary of Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council, commended the children for their persistence and dedication. He announced plans to include the one-meter clause in local tender documents and committed to floating a tender for de-concretizing the identified trees. Semi-permeable tiles will replace existing concrete, ensuring both tree health and urban functionality.
This initiative not only highlights the ecological threats posed by rapid urbanization but also showcases the power of collective action — led by young, determined voices. If these children’s efforts can set an example, a greener, more sustainable urban future might be closer than we think.
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