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Synopsis

The Delhi High Court while raising concern over the problem of Air pollution in Delhi said that whatever is left needs to be saved, and something needs to be left for future generations.

A division of bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad was hearing a suo moto matter pertaining to the issue of Air pollution in Delhi.

Senior Advocate Kailash Vasdev- the amicus Curiae in the matter, presented Delhi's photograph taken by the Air force in 2015, showing the green areas which have all been covered by concrete now. "If this is how it is going to be developed then there will be nothing left in Delhi NCR", Vasdev submitted.

Vasdev informed the bench that the forest areas are being converted for development.

To which Chief Justice Sharma said, "There has to be some law. In our state when a house is built, a certain number of trees has to be planted; here the builder should do it."

However, Vasdev submitted that builders use every inch of the land and remove everything.

"If there is politics of vote bank, then we can never do this. All the areas developed on the forest land shall be cleaned. They cannot have the protection on an illegal act in the name of court orders," Vasdev submitted.

Additionally, Vasdev submitted, "Please see what’s being done along river Yamuna, these are all total illegal colonies which have come up. They are saying 20% green cover is still there, please show. Please see Ghaziabad and NCR area, if this is how it is going to be developed, then there will be nothing left.

The bench sought the assistance of Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati in the matter while stating, "Please personally look into this. Delhi is losing its forest cover like anything."

Case Title: COURT ON ITS OWN MOTION (AIR POLLUTION IN DELHI)