Every hour five trees are cut in Delhi: HC seeks action plan from forest officials
The Delhi High Court in the case Neeraj Sharma v.vinay Sheel Saxena and others observed, wherein seeking an expedited action plan from the Forest Department after it was being brough to the attention of the court that, for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021, five trees are being court down every hour in Delhi and with prior permission from the Tree Officer. The bench comprising of Justice Najmi Waziri stated that while the remedying harm and loss of tree-cover would possibly take another 20 years for each fully grown tree which is being felled. It has been noted by the Delhi High Court that the number of trees being cut down in the National Capital Territory of Delhi has been doubted since the court’s previous record on 13.07.2022.
FACTS OF THE CASE
In the present case, the court was hearing the contempt case filed against the PWD officers wherein concerning the preservation of trees in NCT Delhi.
It has also been informed by the court that the Public
Works Department had constructed a concrete path with the SFRC railings, wherein resulting in the removal of rows of trees that had been planted in the past six months and the trees were about 12 to 14 feet tall. In response to which, it has been stated by the court that would constitute that a further contempt of court in these contempt proceedings.
The court observed that due to significant number of trees which are being cut down in the city and the same being both with and without permission, it has been instructed by the court that the Forest Department and all relevant agencies for taking immediate action to prevent the complete loss of the city’s greenery. It has been directed by the respondent for submitting an expedited action plan within two weeks and the same should be implemented promptly.
Further, the court also provided the copy of ‘100 Most Suitable Trees for Delhi (NCR),’ which is authored by environmentalist Mr. Pradip Kishen, to the counsel appearing for DCF so that the same can be considered by the Forest Department.