The Supreme Court is scrutinizing illegal tree felling in Delhi’s Ridge, demanding details on affluent beneficiaries and a comprehensive afforestation plan. The court expressed concern over ecological damage from road widening and a lack of independent monitoring for restoration efforts. The case, highlighting accountability for environmental violations, is set for hearing in January 2025.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday intensified scrutiny over the alleged illegal felling of trees in Delhi’s Ridge area, seeking details about the “affluent persons who benefited” from this environmental violation. The apex court also demanded a comprehensive site plan for afforestation to mitigate the ecological damage.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan expressed concern over the impact of massive tree felling, allegedly carried out to widen roads for the benefit of certain individuals.
“We want the list of all those affluent persons who benefited. We also want to know what is the site plan where afforestation can be done. Whatever damage has been done needs to be restored,”
the bench stated, directing senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan to furnish these details. The case has been scheduled for further hearing in January 2025.
The court is examining a plea alleging contempt by officials for failing to protect the ecologically sensitive Ridge area. On November 7, the bench had directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to outline measures undertaken to restore the Ridge and suggested implementing a monitoring system to ensure the survival of planted trees. The court also questioned the absence of an independent mechanism to verify the actual number of trees planted during afforestation efforts.
The Ridge, a rocky and hilly forested extension of the Aravalli Hill range, spans approximately 7,784 hectares and is divided into four administrative zones: South, South-Central, Central, and North. This green belt serves as Delhi’s ecological lung, making the illegal felling of trees a serious concern.
According to the Forest Survey of India, the number of trees cut stands at 1,670, although the DDA claims it was only 642. The discrepancy has prompted the Supreme Court to issue a contempt notice to the DDA vice-chairman, holding the authority accountable for allowing the felling of trees for the construction of an approach road.
The court’s demand for transparency and a robust afforestation plan underscores its commitment to restoring Delhi’s environmental balance. It has called for an actionable plan to ensure the damage caused by deforestation is not only addressed but also monitored to prevent future violations.
This landmark case highlights the judiciary’s role in holding officials and beneficiaries accountable for ecological damage, reinforcing the importance of sustainable urban development.
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