The Supreme Court has taken a strong stance against the Delhi government’s forest department, describing its approach to enhancing the capital’s green cover as “lacklustre” and “lackadaisical.” This criticism comes during ongoing hearings regarding the city’s green spaces and has prompted the court to summon the forest department secretary.
Court’s Directives and Observations
A bench consisting of Justices AS Oka and SVN Bhatti expressed their dissatisfaction with the forest department’s performance, stating that no meaningful action had been taken. During the proceedings, the court emphasized the importance of improving green cover for the benefit of Delhi’s citizens. The forest secretary has been ordered to appear before the court on October 18 and submit a personal affidavit detailing the measures implemented to enhance the city’s greenery.
Lack of Progress Reported
The court’s frustrations stemmed from a lack of progress since previous directives issued in May and June 2024. When questioned about the status of the green cover enhancements, the counsel for the forest department requested additional time, claiming that relevant information was missing from the government’s status report. The bench rebuked the counsel for submitting an affidavit related to a contempt case instead of the ongoing matter concerning green cover.
Inaction Amid Environmental Concerns
The court’s order highlights the principal secretary’s apparent disinterest and lack of action regarding the government’s green initiatives. Despite comprehensive suggestions provided by environmental experts, no visible steps have been taken to implement them. Justice Oka pointed out that the forest department has merely been conducting meetings without taking substantial actions.
Background of the Legal Proceedings
This case has broader implications due to ongoing issues related to illegal tree felling in ecologically sensitive areas of Delhi, including the Ridge area. The Supreme Court has also addressed a contempt petition regarding unauthorized tree removals, instructing the Delhi government and the Tree Authority to take penal action against the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for these violations.
Investigating the Lieutenant Governor’s Role
The court is also probing the involvement of Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena in the illegal felling of trees. Records concerning his visit to the Ridge area on February 3 remain unproduced by the DDA, raising questions about orders issued during that visit.
A Clash of Judicial Authority
This matter has led to a rare clash between different benches of the Supreme Court, prompting Chief Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud to centralize the proceedings under his bench. This step aims to prevent further conflicts between benches while ensuring consistent handling of environmental protection issues.