New Delhi, February 23 – The Delhi High Court on Friday voiced its concerns over the escalating pollution levels in the capital city and criticized the authorities for their lack of sensitivity towards the preservation of trees. The court’s frustration stemmed from the blatant disregard of its previous directives, which prohibited any civil construction activities within a two-meter radius of existing trees without obtaining prior approval.
Justice Jasmeet Singh expressed dismay at the trenching activities carried out near trees, describing them as acts of “brutality” against nature.
“The people of Delhi are suffering due to the pollution. While no one is stopping the necessary development, it must be undertaken with consideration for the environment,”
Justice Singh remarked, highlighting the importance of the trees planted following the high court’s orders.
The issue came to light during a hearing where the court had issued a notice to an official from the Military Engineer Services (MES) for potentially initiating contempt proceedings against him for violating the court’s tree preservation orders. The MES representative apologized, claiming ignorance of the court’s directives, and assured that future trenching activities would be avoided in the green belt areas and that any necessary alignment changes would be made only after receiving proper authorization.
The court also questioned the Delhi Cantonment Board for its failure to halt the excavation work, which was conducted without regard for the existing greenery.
“The land belongs to you, and yet you allow indiscriminate digging that damages the trees. You should have enforced the court’s order,”
Justice Singh stated, emphasizing the need for strict compliance to prevent contempt charges.
In a gesture of remediation, the MES counsel committed to planting 100 new trees and ensuring their maintenance, leading to the court discharging the notice against the MES official.
This hearing follows a January 29 directive from the high court mandating all agencies in Delhi to obtain permission from tree officers before commencing any civil work near trees, integrating this requirement into government contracts and tenders to enforce strict penalties for non-compliance.
The court’s actions underscore the critical balance between development and environmental preservation, especially in the face of Delhi’s worsening air quality. Additionally, the high court directed the Delhi government’s forest department to implement the draft Delhi Preservation of Trees Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), 2023, to protect the city’s green cover effectively. This directive comes after observing a delay in finalizing the SOP, which aims to outline guidelines for addressing offences against trees under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act (DPTA), 1994.
As Delhi grapples with pollution and environmental degradation, the high court’s interventions highlight the urgent need for responsible urban planning and environmental stewardship to safeguard the city’s green spaces.