Recently, the Supreme Court of India issued a stern directive to the Delhi government, urging it to refrain from exercising unauthorized powers to grant permissions for tree felling in the city. This order comes in the wake of a contentious decision involving the clearance of 422 trees in the Ridge area to facilitate road construction, a move sanctioned by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
In a significant development during the ongoing contempt proceedings related to tree felling, Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan emphasized that there was no legal basis for the Delhi government to issue such permissions. They highlighted that even the tree officer had not granted approval for the felling of these trees, underscoring the lack of statutory authority for such actions.
The Supreme Court’s order, issued after the July 12 hearing and uploaded recently, expressed disappointment over the government’s role in permitting the tree cutting. It called upon the Delhi government to acknowledge the environmental damage caused and immediately desist from assuming powers it does not legally possess.
Moreover, the court reprimanded the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Lieutenant Governor (L-G), criticizing them for alleged attempts to cover up the situation. Justice Oka voiced concerns over delays and lack of transparency, questioning why pertinent information about the L-G’s directives was not disclosed promptly.
Highlighting the government’s insensitivity toward environmental conservation, the bench remarked that the Delhi government’s actions undermined the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994. It accused the authorities of facilitating tree cutting outside the Ridge area without proper permissions, further exacerbating environmental concerns.
In addition to halting unauthorized permissions, the Supreme Court directed the Delhi government to compile a detailed report on all instances of tree felling approvals granted over the past five years. This move aims to hold authorities accountable and ensure transparency in environmental governance.
The court also noted deficiencies in the infrastructure and support provided to the tree officer and the Tree Authority, urging the government to address these shortcomings promptly.
This latest development underscores ongoing challenges in balancing urban development with environmental sustainability in India’s capital city, prompting calls for stricter adherence to environmental laws and greater accountability from governing bodies.
Stay tuned for further updates as the Supreme Court continues to monitor this critical environmental issue impacting Delhi’s green cover.