Supreme Court Questions Illegal Tree Cutting in Delhi

DDA Vice Chairman Subhashish Panda Under Scrutiny

The Supreme Court of India has raised serious concerns about the illegal felling of trees in Delhi’s ridge forest. The court questioned whether the tree cutting was directed by the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.

Key Points

A vacation bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan expressed shock over the incident, noting that the trees were cut without the Supreme Court’s permission. The court proposed a detailed enquiry into the actions of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) that led to the destruction of several valuable trees and environmental degradation.

The court was hearing a suo moto contempt case against DDA Vice Chairman Subhashish Panda. The enquiry report mentioned an email about a site visit by the Lieutenant Governor on February 3, 2024. The court has asked the vice chairman to provide official records of this visit and clarify the situation.

The bench noted that the vice chairman’s affidavit shifted the blame to officers who directed contractors to cut the trees without court permission. Notices have been issued to the concerned DDA officers, and their responses are expected by July 12.

The Supreme Court is considering a massive tree plantation drive across the city and has asked the DDA and Attorney General R Venkataramani to assist in this matter. The court has scheduled the next hearing for June 26.

Earlier, the court had directed the DDA to stop all road construction activities and expressed displeasure over the unauthorized tree cutting in the Delhi Ridge area. It also mandated the planting of 100 new trees for each tree felled by the DDA.