The Delhi High Court issued a notice regarding an application from the CPWD to transplant 26 trees for a Supreme Court expansion project. Justice Jasmeet Singh emphasized obtaining approval from the Forest Department. The CPWD assured over 260 compensatory plantings of indigenous trees, with a hearing set for January 31, 2025, to assess environmental impacts.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court recently issued a notice regarding an application seeking permission to transplant 26 trees for the Supreme Court expansion project. The project involves creating additional courtrooms, chambers for judges, and improved facilities for lawyers and litigants.
Justice Jasmeet Singh issued the notice to the Delhi Forest Department on the application filed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), represented by Advocate Sudhir Mishra. The Court also asked Amicus Curiae Satyakam to submit a status report and scheduled the next hearing for January 31, 2025.
The CPWD’s Supreme Court Project Division-1 moved the application with the authorization of the Supreme Court. The trees in question reportedly fall within the building line/excavation line of the expansion project and thus need to be transplanted.
The CPWD had earlier sought permission from the Forest Department. However, the Department directed them to obtain prior approval from the High Court, as per court orders dated August 31, 2023, and August 9, 2024.
“As per the Hon’ble Delhi High Court’s orders dated 31.08.2023 and 09.08.2024, the undersigned cannot give tree felling/transplantation permission without Hon’ble Court’s prior approval. As per the said order, any permission required for important projects will be intimated to the court,”
the Forest Department clarified.
This prompted the CPWD to file an application with the High Court.
The application assured the Court that a compensatory plantation of over 260 trees would be carried out in the vicinity of the Supreme Court premises. The plantation plan focuses on indigenous species such as neem, jamun, peepal, and arjun trees, with specific guidelines:
- A minimum of 3 meters of space between each tree.
- Each tree will be at least 10 feet in height at the time of planting.
“Needless to mention that in view of the 26 number of trees sought to be transplanted, compensatory plantation of 260+ trees have also been planned in the vicinity of the Supreme Court of India,”
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the application stated.
The application was drafted by Advocates Sudhir Mishra, Ritwika Nanda, and Petal Chandhok.
The High Court has sought a detailed status report and will hear the matter on January 31, 2025. The outcome will determine whether the transplantation of these trees can proceed, balancing the needs of development with environmental sustainability.
Case Title – Bhavreen Kandhari Vs. Shri CD Singh And Ors
Read the Judgement here:
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