NGT notice to civic body over tree felling

THE PETITION FILED BY A SARVAPRIYA VIHAR RESIDENT SAID TREES WERE CUT WITHOUT VALID PERMISSION

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal has issued notices to the South Delhi Municipal Corporation and Delhi government over felling of trees in Sarvapriya Vihar.

NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar was hearing a petition filed by Sarvapriya Vihar resident Sumita Dutt, who has alleged that trees as old as 40 years have been cut without permission.

The petition says, “(The) Tribunal has also time and again acknowledged and stressed on the importance of trees through various judicial pronouncements. Moreover, it is pertinent to note that these trees were at the side of the path and in the green area and therefore were not in any manner obstructing way or access for any person or vehicle.”

It alleged that the South Delhi Municipal Corporation and the department of forest and wildlife illegally felled these trees without the valid permission from the competent authority. Photographs showing the felling of the trees were also submitted as part of the petition.

The court has sought a reply from the South civic body, Delhi forest department and the Delhi government on September 30, the next date of hearing.

According to the Economic survey of Delhi 2014-2015, the city had a tree cover area of 297.81 square km in 2013, which is 20.08% of the total area of the Capital. However, authorities have no data about the density, variety and health of trees in Delhi apart from satellite images.

Earlier, in May, in a similar case, the NGT had directed the Delhi government to plant 2,000 trees for chopping off 216 trees in a residential colony at Yamuna Vihar in north east Delhi.

Expressing concern over reckless felling of trees in large numbers, a bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also pulled up the Chief Engineer of Public Works Department and warned him of imposing costs if he failed to abide by the orders of the tribunal.