Parks shut, trees uprooted: Locals flag green neglect at Ghaziabad township

Ghaziabad: Residents of Shipra Sun City have raised alarms about ongoing environmental degradation and safety hazards in the area’s green spaces, sparking questions about responsible development and civic responsibility. From uprooted, drying-up trees to unkempt parks, the area cries for attention.Shipra Sun City in Indirapuram is a 225-acre integrated township and residential locality in collaboration with the GDA, which consists of high-rise apartments, villas and commercial shops.Emphasising the ecological repercussions of such actions, Sundar Bansal, a resident, said, “The soil around the roots of a healthy tree is excavated, causing it to topple over. This isn’t just the loss of a single tree; it signifies a loss of our environment’s foundation, which provides us with oxygen and shade.”Basnal urged fellow residents to be more sensitive to nature, reminding them that “just as we value water, we must also cherish trees, as they are vital to our survival”.Sunil Kumar, another resident of the area, expressed frustration over the closure of Central Park, which has left residents without access to the park for over two weeks. “The public should not be subjected to such unnecessary harassment,” said Kumar, suggesting that other parks, like Bal Vatika, are managed with less inconvenience to visitors.Another resident, Sudeb Ganguly, raised safety concerns regarding an open sewer pit at the entrance of the Shipra Suncity central market. “Why is this pit left exposed, posing a danger to residents and visitors alike? Are we prioritising beautification over safety?” said Ganguly.Officials said necessary upkeep of parks and green spaces is being done, and concerns raised will be addressed.