SC criticizes unauthorized tree-cutting in Delhi's eco-sensitive zone

The Supreme Court has criticized the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, and a contractor for failing to inform Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Vinai Kumar Saxena about the need for Supreme Court approval before ordering the felling of trees in an eco-sensitive zone.

The court described the actions as "sheer political vendetta," pointing out that neither the contractor nor the Delhi government and DDA informed the L-G about the requirement.

On June 26, the Supreme Court had instructed DDA officer Ashok Kumar Gupta to submit a detailed affidavit on what transpired during the L-G’s visit to the Ridge area where 1,100 trees were cut. The court later reviewed affidavits from the vice-chairman of DDA and the secretary of the forest department, uncovering a reluctance to reveal the full details of the L-G’s visit. Gupta's affidavit clarified the events.

The court noted that several officials, including those attached to the L-G, the chief secretary, and senior forest department officials, were present at the meeting but failed to mention the need for court permission to cut trees in the Ridge area. The AAP has claimed that the trees were cut based on the L-G's verbal instructions.

The court issued a notice to the contractor, asking for clarification on whose orders the trees were felled. It questioned whether the DDA instructed the contractor based on the L-G's verbal permission or made the decision independently. The contractor has been asked to file an affidavit by July 31, detailing who authorized the tree cutting and where the wood from the chopped trees is stored.

Previously, the Supreme Court expressed surprise at the authorities' inability to locate the timber from the felled trees. The Delhi government has stated that a seizure order for the logs has been issued, but the court questioned whether these logs were indeed from the felled trees. The contractor must now provide the location of the logs and transplanted trees.

The court also criticized the Delhi government for approving the cutting of over 400 trees without proper statutory authority and has asked for an explanation of the steps it will take to compensate the environment. The Delhi government must outline actions taken against the responsible officials and submit these details under oath.

The BJP recently alleged that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal approved the felling of trees in the Ridge area, while the AAP countered, calling the claim misleading. The court has directed the Delhi government to ensure the tree authority is properly constituted by the next hearing on July 31.

Previously, the Supreme Court had issued a criminal contempt notice against DDA vice-chairman Subhasish Panda for permitting large-scale tree felling in the southern Ridge’s Satbari area to build a road from Chhattarpur to South Asian University. The court also ordered the planting of 100 trees for each tree felled by the DDA.