Mass tree felling: Jaipur youth rally to save Dol Ka Baadh, city's green lungs

India Today

22-05-2025

A wave of youth-led activism is sweeping Jaipur as the 'Save Dol Ka Baadh' campaign gains momentum, with hundreds of young professionals and environmentalists rallying to protect one of the city's last major green spaces.The campaign, which has seen daily protests and a surge in social media support, is a direct response to government-backed plans to clear nearly 100 acres of dense forest for the construction of the Prime Minister's Unity Mall and other commercial projects.advertisementDol Ka Baadh, often called the 'green lungs' of south Jaipur, is home to over 2,400 mature trees—including the ecologically vital Khejri—and more than 80 species of birds and native wildlife. Activists warn that the ongoing felling of trees and construction activities threaten not only biodiversity but also the city's air quality and ecological balance.
Protestors have geo-tagged trees and documented evidence of those already cut, alleging that construction work continues behind blue tin barricades, sometimes even after sunset to avoid public scrutiny.The campaign echoes similar recent movements in Indian cities, where urban forests have come under threat from rapid development.Many campaigners point out the irony that several political leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, had previously championed Dol Ka Baadh's preservation while in opposition, but have remained silent since assuming office.advertisementDespite repeated appeals and petitions, activists claim their concerns have gone unheeded by the Rajasthan government and RIICO, the state industrial development agency overseeing the project. Tensions escalated earlier this month when police detained four protestors, including campaign leader Ashutosh Ranka, during a peaceful demonstration.Critics argue that while the proposed Unity Mall aims to celebrate tribal heritage, its construction comes at the cost of irreplaceable urban biodiversity. 'We're not against development, but it should not come at the expense of our city's ecological future,' said Shaurya, a campaign volunteer.He added, "Diya Kumari, when she was in the opposition, had supported the campaign to save the Dol Ka Baadh but now that she is the Deputy Chief Minister, she is not paying heed to our repeated pleas."