Delhi Forest Department's Controversial Anti-Termite Tender Draws Expert Criticism
The Delhi forest department has initiated a tender process for anti-termite treatment at the Central Ridge, proposing the use of lindane, a pesticide that has been banned globally. This development occurs as the department advances its plan to establish theme-based "special forests" within the ecologically sensitive area. Environmental experts and ecologists have expressed significant concerns regarding this move, highlighting potential severe ecological consequences.
Experts Warn Against Chemical Intervention in Natural Ecosystems
Specialists in forest ecology have raised alarms, emphasizing that termites serve as a natural and healthy indicator within forest ecosystems. They caution that employing harmful chemicals such as lindane and chlorpyrifos in soil could devastate beneficial microbes and fungi, thereby disrupting the delicate ecological balance. Furthermore, these substances pose substantial risks to the health of wildlife, including animals and birds, as well as humans who may come into contact with contaminated areas.
Debadityo Sinha, senior resident fellow and lead of the climate and ecosystems team at Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, articulated these concerns clearly. "Termites play an important and useful role in forest ecosystems. The Central Ridge is a reserve forest, not a building. So why does the forest department want to eliminate termites?" he questioned. Sinha further explained that toxic chemicals like chlorpyrifos and lindane can severely degrade soil health by exterminating fungi, insects, and other vital organisms. These chemicals may also leach into groundwater and, during rainfall, flow into water bodies, creating additional hazards for human health.
Forest Department's Response and Revised Stance
A senior forest official provided clarification on the department's position. "Termites are an important indicator of soil health and contribute to nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. However, in newly established plantations, excessive termites can damage young saplings and affect their survival rates. Therefore, limited and need-based anti-termite treatment will be done only for initial protection of the saplings while they are vulnerable," the official stated.
The official acknowledged that the provision for anti-termite treatment was adopted from the Delhi Schedule of Rates, which includes lindane. "However, considering environmental and health concerns, lindane will not be used. Instead, chlorpyrifos may be used, that too in limited and controlled quantities, strictly for localised application during the initial stage of plantation. Further, wherever feasible, safer and eco-friendly alternatives of anti-termite treatment will be preferred to minimise ecological impact," the official added.
Another forest official confirmed an error in the tender document. "There was a mistake in this tender, and another one will be issued soon after removing lindane from it," the official said. The original tender dated March 17 specified the supply and spreading of good-quality "anti-termite (chlorpyriphos 20% EC/lindane 20% EC) free from impurities to all tree saplings (@ 5 ml per plant one time)."
Ecological Importance of Termites and Soil Health
Ecologists strongly advise against anti-termite treatment for ecological restoration of the ridge, which functions as the green lungs of Delhi. They assert that such treatments are suitable for campuses and gardens but not for natural forests. A chapter on ecological impacts of termites in the book, 'Termites and Sustainable Management', elucidates their critical role. Tropical termites may consume up to half of the annual litter production. "During their feeding and nesting activities, termites improve soil aeration, enhance absorption and storage of water in soils, and facilitate carbon fluxes and storage. These processes are crucial for long-term soil fertility, plant growth and soil formation," the text notes.
Piyush Mohapatra, senior programme coordinator (chemical and health programme) at Toxics Link, highlighted regulatory issues. "The registration of lindane has been stopped under the Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee. Globally, it is banned for use as both a pesticide and in timber," Mohapatra stated.
Concerns Over Theme-Based Plantations and Legal Violations
Experts and activists have also voiced apprehensions regarding the forest department's proposal to implement theme-based plantations at Central Ridge. These include developments such as Thirthankar Van, Ritu Van, Rashi Van, and Panchvati Van, based on zodiac, cultural, or ancient traditions. Prakriti Srivastava, a retired IFS officer and petitioner challenging amendments to the Forest Conservation Act 1980, warned that chemicals like chlorpyrifos and lindane can leach into the water table, impacting the entire ecosystem, and should not be utilized in a natural forest.
Srivastava further criticized the theme-based approach. "The creation of a theme-based park in Central Ridge violates the Forest Conservation Act, as non-forestry activities are not permitted. It is a forest, not a park. An effort should be made to allow regeneration of the Ridge through protection and least biotic interference, which is the best silvicultural practice," she asserted.
Activist Complaints and Broader Implications
Bhavreen Kandhari, an environmental activist, filed a formal complaint with the forest department on Friday against alleged illegal diversion and non-forest activities in Central Ridge and other forest divisions under the "special forest or Nakshatra Van" initiative. Kandhari expressed that the tender reflects a troubling shift from natural forest conservation to artificial landscaping. "The tender reflects a shift from natural forest conservation to artificial landscaping, including replacement of natural ecosystems with 'theme-based' plantations, fragmentation of habitat through fencing and infrastructure, soil and hydrological disturbance due to excavation and imported earth and use of toxic chemicals harmful to biodiversity," she stated, adding that such interventions are ecologically damaging.
The ongoing controversy underscores a critical debate between forest management practices aimed at plantation survival and the imperative to preserve natural ecological processes. As the Delhi forest department prepares to issue a revised tender, the focus remains on balancing sapling protection with the long-term health and sustainability of Central Ridge's unique ecosystem.
