Delhi Gymkhana Club land dispute: 486 mature trees documented in Central Delhi's green lung

A new survey has documented 486 mature trees belonging to 51 species on the premises of the Delhi Gymkhana Club, underscoring the ecological significance of one of Central Delhi's largest green spaces. The survey was conducted by naturalist Vijay Dhasmana, environmentalist Dr Roli Shukla Thapar, and citizen volunteers, as a dispute over the proposed takeover of the club's land continues to be heard by the Delhi High Court.

In June 2023, a bench led by Justice Neena Bansal Krishna warned that the city would 'suffocate' if heritage green spaces gave way to concrete, emphasising the importance of preserving the campus. The Land and Development Office (L&DO) has initiated eviction proceedings against the club, a move the club is challenging before the High Court.

The survey focused only on mature trees with a girth exceeding 50 centimetres, many of which are decades old. Each tree was individually geotagged for the first time, using field visits, species identification, and GPS-based mapping to create a digital inventory. This approach ensures a reliable record of the trees that contribute significantly to the area's biodiversity and air quality.

The dispute centres on the club's leasehold land, which the L&DO claims is underutilised and should be taken over for public purposes. The club argues that the land serves an important recreational and ecological function. The High Court is expected to continue hearings in the coming months.

The survey's findings highlight the potential environmental cost of any redevelopment. Conservationists argue that the loss of these trees would not only reduce green cover but also harm local wildlife and worsen air pollution in an already congested part of the city. The court has yet to deliver a final verdict, but the survey adds a layer of factual evidence to the debate.