The court’s vacation bench, comprising Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, emphasized the need for vigilance by the forest department and tree authority to prevent illegal tree felling in Delhi.
NEW DELHI: Today (26th June): The Supreme Court directed the Delhi government and civic agencies to convene a meeting to discuss measures aimed at increasing the city’s green cover. This directive follows concerns about the loss of tree cover and its impact on residents feeling the heat.
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The court’s vacation bench, comprising Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, emphasized the need for vigilance by the forest department and tree authority to prevent illegal tree felling in Delhi.
“Considering the illegal and high-handed acts of tree felling, we issue notice to the Government of Delhi, Forest and Environment Department, Tree Authority, MCD, and DDA,” the bench stated.
“The Secretary of the Forest Department will convene a meeting of all these officers in the presence of the expert committee appointed to discuss comprehensive measures for enhancing the green cover of the national capital, Delhi,” the bench added.
The Supreme Court noted that the rampant felling of trees in the national capital is a serious issue that cannot be ignored. On Monday, the court sought a clear statement from the vice chairman of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) regarding allegations of tree cutting in the Ridge area, purportedly on the orders of the lieutenant governor without proper permission.
The apex court had previously issued a notice of criminal contempt against DDA vice chairman Subhasish Panda in response to the large-scale cutting of trees in the Satbari area of the southern Ridge to construct a road linking Chhattarpur to South Asian University.
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The court expressed its displeasure with a “misleading” affidavit submitted by the DDA vice chairman, accusing him of presenting “wrong facts” before the court. It has also mandated the planting of 100 trees for every tree felled by the DDA.
The meeting convened by the forest department will involve various officers and an expert committee, ensuring a comprehensive approach to increasing Delhi’s green cover.
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