Where have all the trees gone?

It’s a wild, wild world. So wild, that 11,170 plant and animal species across the globe face extinction. The Switzerland-based World Conservation Union’s ‘Red Alert List of Threatened Species’ points out that while Indonesia, India, Brazil and China are home to the ‘most threatened’ mammals and birds, plant species are declining rapidly in South America, central and west Africa, and south-east Asia.
Certain species of trees have, over the years, disappeared from the face of the earth — and the earth, of course, includes Delhi.Says HB Nathani, former senior scientist at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun, ‘‘Species such as Sterculia urens or kundali; Tecomella unduleta or lohera; Erythrina; Tekulia urens; Cordia rothii or gondhi; Spathodea; salai; chichola; and kulu make for dormant species in Delhi whose growth, over the years, has been stunted appreciably.’’
A recent report prepared on the Ridge forest area in Delhi reveals that Delhi’s greenery is literally in the red, with certain species of trees having become extinct and others on the verge of being wiped out. ‘‘We are in the process of compiling a report on the species of trees which come under the ‘endangered’ category. These species will be included in our next Green Action Plan,’’ informs a senior forest-department official.
Despite official efforts, Delhi’s trees are slowly, but surely, being rooted out. Points out Centre for Science and Environment director Sunita Narayan, ‘‘The protection of a single species of flora or fauna can not be done in isolation.’’
So, where have all the trees gone? ‘‘Admittedly, certain species of trees no longer exist. We will approach the forest department in Dehradun to get a clearer picture and the reasons behind this. The main question is of replantation, which we are going to concentrate on this year,’’offers chief forest guardian AK Sinha.
Explains ecologist Iqbal Malik of Vatavaran, an NGO, ‘‘Due to increased concretisation, ill-treatment of trees, and transplanting disasters, Delhi’s forest cover has reduced. Native trees such as Mandara are now extinct. A plan keeping in mind the soil and the fertility of different regions should be drawn up.’’
Adds Ajay Mahajan of Kalpavriksh, an NGO working for the preservation of trees, ‘‘Even as ‘introduced’ species such as Kabuli kikar, Eucalyptus and Jacaranda multiply at a rapid rate, indigenous trees face regeneration problems.’’
But the silver lining among the dark clouds is that 45 species, which were on the verge of extinction have re-appeared, explains AK Shukla, deputy conservator (forests), ‘‘The latest report prepared by the forest department shows that certain species have resurfaced and this has happened due to minimisation of activities and fencing in the area.’’ There is a way. Only, what seems to be lacking is the will. Yes, it’s time for Delhi to turn over a new leaf.
divyavasisht@indiatimes.com