New Delhi: A citizen-led survey conducted in June documented 486 mature trees with a girth of over 100 centimetres, belonging to 51 species, across the Delhi Gymkhana campus, describing the site as one of the most diverse and ecologically valuable urban tree assemblages in the heart of the capital.The survey said the trees support biodiversity, providing nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies and other pollinators, and fruits for parakeets, barbets, mynahs, hornbills, fruit bats and squirrels. Ecologist Vijay Dhasmana, curator of the Aravali Biodiversity Park in Gurgaon, who took part in this survey, said: “The exercise was undertaken to document the current status of tree diversity at Delhi Gymkhana Club. Some of the trees qualify as heritage trees as they are over 100 years old.” He added that each tree documented during the survey has been geotagged.Delhi Gymkhana Club has been in the news after the Centre issued an eviction notice. The Centre said the club had “unauthorised occupation of public premises” since its land lease ended on May 22. In the show-cause notice to the club, the Centre wanted to know why an eviction order should not be passed against it.Many of the documented trees are native species, including Putranjiva (84), Neem (63), Mango (35), Karanj (28), Peepal (22), Jamun (15), Goolar, Banyan, Baheda, Arjun, Pilkhan and Semal. However, this survey does not include younger trees or other vegetation. “The survey recorded only trees with a girth exceeding 100 cm, indicating that these are mature and veteran trees that have taken decades to grow. Unlike built infrastructure, their ecological value increases with age. Once removed, they cannot be recreated within a human lifetime,” the report said.Roli Thapar, who surveyed the trees, said she was among the five people who documented these trees for five days in June. “The survey demonstrated that the Delhi Gymkhana campus’ mature native trees collectively provide ecological services, biodiversity habitat, carbon storage, microclimate regulation and cultural heritage value that cannot be replaced by compensatory planting. Any proposal involving tree removal should first exhaust all alternatives, recognising that compensatory afforestation cannot substitute the loss of mature, decades-old trees,” the report said.Environmentalist Bhavreen Kandhari said she grew up in this club as her family and friends are members. “As Delhi chokes under toxic air and recurring heatwaves, protecting every remaining green open space is no longer a choice. It is a public health necessity. These spaces are not waiting to be redeveloped. They are already hard at work cooling our city, filtering pollution and sustaining biodiversity,” Kandhari said.She added that this survey was undertaken by citizens so that decision-makers notice these majestic heritage trees and green spaces for what they truly are — indispensable natural infrastructure that no amount of concrete can replace.