The Delhi High Court prioritized forest restoration over illegal constructions, demonstrating its commitment to environmental preservation amidst escalating pollution. This ruling serves as a model for balancing urban development while safeguarding green spaces.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court emphasized forest restoration in Delhi, taking a strong view against illegal constructions, even those involving religious structures. The court’s refusal to entertain a plea seeking protection for two religious sites in Sanjay Van: the preservation of Delhi’s green spaces amidst escalating pollution levels.
Earlier, Himanshu Damle filed a plea to protect the Ashiq Allah dargah and the Chillagah of Baba Farid from potential demolition by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). Despite their historical significance, the court prioritized environmental health over preserving unauthorized religious constructions.
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Acting Chief Justice Manmohan highlighted Delhi’s air quality crisis, emphasizing the need to restore forests over preserving illegal structures. The court’s directive sets a precedent for handling cases involving encroachments on public land.
The importance of enforcing laws to protect public lands from encroachments, balancing cultural heritage with environmental sustainability. It sends a strong message about the necessity of preserving green spaces in urban areas.
The Delhi High Court emphasized the impact of pollution on public health, stating that individuals are suffering due to their inability to breathe and are succumbing to the effects of pollution. The importance of restoring forest areas and evicting people from these spaces for environmental preservation.
“Let the forest be restored. Today, where will you find more forests? So the existing ones must be preserved. These are the green lungs of Delhi. Have a heart. Be human. Understand that people are dying because of pollution. This is our only saviour. This is our last bastion.
“We will not be able to breathe, What will you see? How will you enjoy the heritage if you can’t breathe in the city? Let them breathe. Enough peers, dargahs, and temples are there. Enough. We have more than sufficient,” stated a bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora.
The court made these remarks during a Public Interest litigation( PIL) concerning the protection of ancient monuments, including the Ashiq Allah Dargah in Mehrauli, from demolition.
The petitioners argued that the dargah, dating back to 1317 AD, is one of the earliest and most significant Sultanata era structures in the country, encompassing the chillagah of Baba Farid, a revered 13th-century Sufi saint.
While reviewing images presented in court, the bench noted that new tiles had been installed on the structure, transforming it into a tourist attraction that attracts increasing numbers of visitors.
Sanjay Van, a significant green area in Delhi, has faced encroachment issues. The court’s decision reflects a commitment to preserving these spaces for the city’s environmental health and residents’ well-being.
The Delhi High Court’s prioritization of forest restoration and against illegal construction in Sanjay Van are landmark decisions in combating environmental degradation. It sets a precedent for future cases, highlighting the importance of protecting green areas for public health and well-being.