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Court emphasized the importance of green spaces in fighting pollution, emphasizing that a designated 55-acre area should be transformed into a dense forest to serve as the city's primary source of clean air
The Delhi High Court, on Friday, reiterated the need for a forest rather than a mere ornamental park in the national capital. Earlier, the court had instructed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to provide detailed plans for forest development, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the long-term viability of the selected land for this purpose.
The bench of Justice Jasmeet Singh held, “It is for the lungs of Delhi. It is only to reduce pollution levels in Delhi … Delhi needs a forest. Delhi does not need an ornamental park. Delhi does not need a medicinal garden, clustered bamboo forest”.
Despite the DDA's assurance that their proposal aimed to establish an urban forest with three distinct zones, including a substantial area for dense vegetation, the court urged a reassessment, deeming the proposed usage insufficient for the available land.
The court instructed the DDA to present a comprehensive afforestation plan. This directive arose during discussions concerning contempt proceedings against the DDA for unauthorized tree removal in the Southern Ridge area to construct a road connecting Chhatarpur and the South Asian University in Maidan Garhi.
During that period, the counsel for DDA expressed regret and clarified that although trees were felled, there was no deliberate disobedience. They explained that field personnel had misinterpreted a notification from the Delhi government, which exempted approximately 4.9 hectares of land from requiring approval from the tree officer for tree removal, as conclusive permission.
Consequently, the court scheduled the next hearing for May 17.
[Inputs: PTI]
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