Every Hour Five Trees Are Cut Down in Delhi: High Court Seeks Action Plan From Forest Department

Recently, the Delhi High Court sought an expedited action plan from the Forest Department after it was brought to the court's attention that, for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021, five trees are being cut down every hour in Delhi with prior permission from the Tree Officer.

The bench of Justice Najmi Waziri said, “Remedying the harm and loss of tree-cover would possibly take another 20 years for each fully grown tree which is felled.”

The High Court noted that the number of trees being cut down in the National Capital Territory of Delhi has doubled since the court's previous record on July 13, 2022.

Background of the case

The court was hearing the contempt case against the PWD officers concerning the preservation of trees in NCT Delhi.

The court was informed that the Public Works Department (PWD) had constructed a concrete path with SFRC railings, possibly resulting in the removal of rows of trees that had been planted in the past six months and were 12 to 14 feet tall. In response, the court stated that, “This would ex-facie, constitute a further contempt of court in these contempt proceedings.”

Due to the significant number of trees being cut down in the city, both with and without permission, the court has instructed the Forest Department and all relevant agencies to take immediate action to prevent the complete loss of the city's greenery. The respondents have been directed by the court to submit an expedited action plan within two weeks, which should be implemented promptly.

The court also gave a copy of '100 Most Suitable Trees for Delhi (NCR),' authored by environmentalist Mr. Pradip Kishen, to the counsel for DCF so that it can be considered by the Forest Department.

Case title- Neeraj Sharma v.Vinay Sheel Saxena and others.

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