Delhi tree felling case: SC raps DDA over road-widening bid, orders massive afforestation
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday rapped the Delhi Development Authority for illegal felling of trees in southern ridge of the national capital ordering a massive afforestation drive.
It also asked each DDA official, except chairperson and vice-chairperson, responsible for felling trees without prior permission of SC to deposit a fine of Rs 25,000.
Additionally, it asked the DDA to levy one-time fee on affluent residents of the area who were beneficiaries of widening of road.
A bench led by Justice Surya Kant observed that while the case reflected gross contempt—with even the LG VK Saxena named as a contemnor over alleged illegal tree felling—the act was carried out with good intentions.
As a result, the DDA has been directed to carry out extensive afforestation.
In January, DDA had admitted to the SC that it had committed contempt by permitting the felling of over 600 trees in South Delhi's Ridge area to widen a road to a hospital. Seeking closure of the proceedings, it pledged to plant 70,000 trees over 185 acres in the city. However, the petitioner opposed the move, insisting on accountability, prompting the court to advocate for a pragmatic resolution.
Contempt proceedings were launched against the DDA vice-chairman for breaching a Supreme Court order by permitting tree felling without approval. While the DDA admitted to cutting around 600 trees, a forest survey of India report pegged the number at 1,600.
Records submitted to the court showed that multiple authorities, including the chief minister and the LG, acted in violation of legal procedures. In response to the contempt notice, the DDA vice-chairman admitted under oath to the unauthorized felling of 174 trees on non-forest land and 468 on forest land.
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