The Delhi High Court has affirmed the preservation of green spaces at the Siri Fort Sports Complex (SFSC), situated in the heart of South Delhi. The court ordered that the football and hockey fields, currently covered with natural grass, should not be tampered with or replaced by artificial turf, putting a halt to the Delhi Development Authority's (DDA) proposal to convert them.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Najmi Waziri, highlights the vital role of green areas, serving as "lungs for the city," amidst densely populated residential, commercial, and industrial localities. The court stressed the need to safeguard such ecological pockets and protect the environment from irreversible harm caused by concretization.
The decision is in line with previous directives from the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to maintain the green cover in the SFSC area. The judge pointed out that the proposed artificial turf plan would not only damage the football and hockey fields but also negatively impact the contiguous green region, potentially affecting people using the adjacent walking path.
Emphasizing the responsibility of land-owning agencies like DDA to ensure environmental protection, the court urged them to exercise caution and care while undertaking development projects. The court further reminded us that green spaces hold immense value in densely populated areas and should not be compromised for short-term projects.
The case was brought before the court by Sudhir Gupta, a responsible and spirited citizen who, despite being over 75 years of age and not directly involved in field sports, sought to protect the environment and ecology of his neighbourhood and the SFSC. He objected to the proposed artificial turf laying and raised concerns about its ecological impact.
The court applauded Gupta's initiative and highlighted the shared duty of all individuals to protect the environment from harm. It further directed the DDA to adhere to the status quo and abandon the illegal proposed plan, aligning with the NGT's 2017 directions against extensive cutting and uprooting of trees in and around SFSC.
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