Recently, the Supreme Court has sought clarification from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) regarding efforts to restore the Delhi Ridge area, where hundreds of trees were reportedly felled without authorization. The Court requested details on the plantation measures undertaken and asked if any independent monitoring mechanism was in place to ensure the survival of the newly planted trees.
The Delhi Ridge, an extension of the Aravalli Hill range comprising rocky, forested areas, is divided into four administrative zones (South, South-Central, Central, and North), collectively spanning approximately 7,784 hectares. Allegations surfaced claiming that nearly 1,670 trees were cut down in this area to construct an approach road, a figure contested by the DDA, which previously reported the number at 642. A petition before the Supreme Court accused DDA officials of contempt for the alleged illegal felling and sought action against those responsible. In May, the Supreme Court directed the Forest Survey of India (FSI) to conduct a survey of the area to assess the environmental impact of the tree loss and estimate the number of trees that fell.
During the hearing, the bench of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra, emphasized the need for a stringent monitoring system to verify tree survival rates. The Court suggested that for every tree cut, 100 new trees should be planted in the Ridge area, with a plan to introduce an enforcement mechanism to prevent future violations. Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing the petitioner, highlighted the Forest Survey of India’s findings and stressed the necessity of a robust monitoring process to track the progress of reforestation efforts.
The Top Court instructed the DDA and the petitioner to provide updates on the status of tree planting, any remedial actions undertaken, and the proposed monitoring mechanisms by the next hearing, scheduled for November 8. The Supreme Court underscored its commitment to ensuring the Ridge's ecological preservation, indicating that specific directions would be issued in the upcoming hearing.
Picture Source :