No Permission Will Be Granted To Any Individual For Felling Of Trees Till Sept 14: Delhi Govt To High Court

The Delhi Government has told the Delhi High Court that no permission will be granted to any individual for felling of trees in the national capital till September 14.

The government further told Justice Jasmeet Singh that any permission required for important projects will be intimated to the court.

The submission was made by Delhi Government’s counsel, Advocate Dhairya Gupta, in a petition seeking contempt action against the officials for not following court directions passed in April last year requiring the Tree Officers to spell out reasons for permitting the felling of trees in Delhi. The plea relates to the issue of preservation of trees in the national capital.

The petitioner had moved an application seeking early hearing of the matter submitting that despite last year's order, the authorities are recklessly granting permission for felling of trees.

Justice Singh said that a perusal of the permissions granted by the officers for felling of trees “seems to suggest” that there is a “total non-application of mind” while granting such permissions.

“Some of the permissions show that trees have been permitted to be cut for individuals requiring parking spaces for their vehicles,” the court observed.

The court listed the matter for hearing on September 14 and directed the authorities to bring the files pertaining to granting of permissions of the trees that have been felled, as per the urgent application.

“Mr Gupta states that till the next date of hearing no permission for felling of trees for any individuals will be granted and any permission required for important projects will be intimated to the Court,” the court recorded.

In November last year, Retired Justice Najmi Waziri directed Delhi’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.