Fight for clean air becomes lifestyle for some in Delhi

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Protests to save the environment have been a part of Delhi, but the new element is the addition of school students, who are coming out in big numbers to fight for their right to clean air.

Air pollution is severely affecting children in India. Aman Sharma, a student in Delhi, and his friends have taken it upon themselves to continue protesting against tree logging.

"We are here to fight for our rights. It is you who have stolen our right to clean and healthy environment," says an angry Sharma.

"Air pollution impacts children the most. My brother is allergic to polluted air and he has trouble breathing."

Aman Sharma(R) and Asis Kandhari are campaign leaders to save the trees in Delhi. /CGTN Photo

A 2019 report called CSE State of India's Environment in Figures, released by a non-profit environmental organization, reveals that air pollution kills an average of 8.5 out of every 10,000 children in India before they turn five. Delhi is listed as the most polluted city according to many surveys.

The development in the city of Delhi has led to the cutting of hundreds of trees. In 2018 the redevelopment of central governments housing facilities resulted in old trees being chopped off until the citizens rose to the occasion.

Many out of the new group called Delhi Trees SOS that sprung up were children. It was through street protests, candle light vigils and legal petitions that this group managed to get a stay against the cutting of 16,500 trees.

Students out on streets to protect trees. /CGTN Photo

Bhavreen Kandhari, one of the legal petitioners, recalls, “It started with just five people but citizens from Delhi came out in big numbers to oppose the cutting of trees. It was a victorious moment when the court stayed the cutting of any tree in Delhi. The matter is still in the court although the stay has been lifted. But our fight is still on."

The group comprises researchers, architects, legal experts and, of course, a large force of students.

"We take direct action by coming on to the streets to express our anger. But we also engage with the government on policy matters. We are working on different levels to bring the change we want to see for a better future," explains Rajeev Suri, who is also a litigant.

Protestors lying on the road to demand a road to walk and cycle in Delhi. /CGTN Photo

In a new step to fight air pollution, the Delhi government has announced that it will plant 2,300,000 trees this financial year.

Delhi's green cover has been impacted by the ruthless cutting of trees. Although there is a policy to plant ten saplings in lieu of one tree but new plants cannot compensate for full-grown trees.