Show us permission for tree felling: HC to Centre
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court directed the Centre on Thursday to place the complete sanction and grant of environmental clearance for redevelopment of seven colonies in south Delhi for which 16,500 trees were to be cut.
A bench of acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar said that all records pertaining to the grant of clearance should be placed before it on the next date of hearing. It also directed that no change is brought to the traffic density in the area till further orders.
The court’s order came after Gautam Mann, an environmental expert, informed the court that the decision to give clearance for the redevelopment project was given just a single hearing.
Mann informed the bench that the entire clearance should be revisited. He and other experts said that the compensatory afforestation or transplantation was unviable and instead standing trees should be included in the redevelopment plan.
During the proceedings, the court expressed worry on the move to increase the floor area ratio on the basis of increasing population density.
The court was hearing a batch of pleas which challenged the felling of over 16 thousand trees in the national capital for redevelopment of colonies in south Delhi.
The National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC), which is executing the work along with the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), said the project was sanctioned by the Union Cabinet and the Master Plan of Delhi-2021 had been considered before a go-ahead was given for the same.
To this the bench said “if you are talking of master plan, then it is high time we have a green master plan for Delhi” and added that “we cannot compromise on environment, no matter the cost”.
The court also asked the PWD, irrigation department and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to give details of date of construction, specifications and the population they were to cater to, of the roads and storm water drains in the project areas.
The matter would be now heard on August 20.