Ensure Tree Felling Orders Are Uploaded Within 48 Hours: Delhi High Court To Principal Chief Conservator of Forests

The Delhi High Court has directed the national capital's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to ensure that the orders permitting the tree felling, under Delhi Preservation Of Trees Act, 1994, are uploaded within a period of 48 hours on the official website.

Justice Najmi Waziri was dealing with a contempt plea arguing that the officials have not been following the directions issued by court on April 28 requiring the Tree Officers to spell out reasons for permitting the felling of trees.

As per the petitioner Bhavreen Kandhari, the order was not adhered to in the 22 subsequent permissions granted by the Tree Officers for felling of trees on various dates between the months of May and August.

On November 2, Advocate Aditya N Prasad appearing for Kandhari submitted that from the period between April 28 to August 27, a total of 92 orders were uploaded on Delhi Government's website of the Department of Forests.

As the counsel further submitted that such orders must be directed to be uploaded promptly, the court ordered:

"Let the PCCF ensure that orders under section 9 of Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994 be uploaded within 48 hours of being passed."

Section 9 of the Act lays down the procedure for obtaining permission to fell, cut, remove or dispose of a tree. It states that on receiving an application, the Tree Officer may, after inspecting the tree, either grant permission or refuse the same for the reasons to be recorded in writing.

The contempt plea was filed in connection with the orders passed by the court in a matter concerning preservation of trees in the national capital.

Title: BHAVREEN KANDHARI v. SHRI C. D. SINGH AND ORS.

Click Here To Read Order