The Supreme Court of India plans to conduct a tree census in Delhi to address the alarming rate of tree felling, currently five trees per hour. An expert committee will oversee tree removal approvals, with stricter regulations enforced to protect the environment. This pivotal measure underscores the importance of preserving trees for public health and ecological balance.
New Delhi: In a landmark move to curb the alarming rate of tree felling in the national capital, which, as per MCD data, amounts to five trees per hour, the Supreme Court on Friday expressed its intention to order a tree census in Delhi. This initiative, a first of its kind, aims to protect the city’s depleting green cover and introduce stricter oversight mechanisms.
A bench comprising Justices A S Oka and Augustine George Masih proposed forming an expert committee, whose approval would be mandatory before any tree is felled.
“We are of the view that a census of existing trees is needed and a mechanism has to be put in place to keep vigil to stop illegal felling of trees,”
the bench remarked. It further emphasized the necessity of laying down clear criteria for tree felling and ensuring the panel’s approval post-clearance by government departments.
Court-Ordered Panel to Have Final Authority
The court-appointed expert panel will serve as the ultimate authority on tree-felling matters, aiming to eliminate unauthorized cutting. The bench suggested a second layer of scrutiny and agreed with senior advocate ADN Rao’s proposal to hold local SHOs personally liable for illegal tree cutting. The panel’s oversight would extend beyond Delhi, with the census proposed to include the protected Taj Trapezium Zone in Agra.
Dire Statistics Call for Immediate Action
Highlighting the urgency of the issue, the petitioner cited MCD data that revealed 1,33,117 trees were officially approved for felling between 2019 and 2021—equating to an average of 44,372 trees annually or five trees every hour. The petition accused various authorities, including those under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act (DPTA), of failing to protect Delhi’s green cover, resulting in its rapid depletion.
Moratorium on Tree Felling Without Panel Approval
To combat this inaction, the court declared that no tree would be felled without the panel’s approval, and in significant cases, approval from the Supreme Court itself would be required. The bench also issued notices to MCD and Indian Railways in response to a plea by the Inderpuri Residents Association, which sought to halt tree felling for a proposed foot overbridge near the colony.
Protection of Trees Integral to Environmental Health
The petitioners stressed the critical importance of preserving existing trees, citing their role in ensuring environmental protection.
“The inaction of authorities to protect existing trees has a direct and proportional effect on the health and wellbeing of the applicant and the general public,”
the plea stated. It further highlighted that the right to a clean environment is implicit in the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Advocates Gopal Sankaranarayanan and Manan Verma, representing the petitioners, argued that the foot overbridge was unnecessary. In response, Advocate Ajay Jain, representing the railways, assured that no trees would be cut.
The Supreme Court’s proactive approach in addressing tree felling in Delhi signals a critical step toward safeguarding the environment and ensuring sustainable urban development.
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