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The Supreme Court strongly criticised the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for cutting down trees in the Ridge forest area of the national capital. On Monday, the court emphasised that it cannot ignore the "brazen acts" that resulted in environmental damage.

 

"If the authorities are not performing their statutory and constitutional duties of protecting the environment, the court has to give a clear and loud signal to all authorities that the environment cannot be damaged in such a fashion," the court said.

 

A panel comprising Justices AS Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan was presiding over a suo-moto contempt case involving the Vice Chairman of the DDA, Subhashish Panda.

 

The court also suggested that the organisation initiate a comprehensive tree-planting campaign in Delhi.

 

This recommendation comes as Delhi grappled with a severe heatwave that resulted in multiple fatalities.

 

"We are not going to take this lightly. If the authority (DDA) is not going to conform to the protection of the environment, this court has to come to the rescue and affirm clearly that environmental protection cannot be taken lightly. Perhaps within the course of the hearing, the vice chairman of DDA has become clearly aware that the court has serious doubts about this entire episode," the court said.

 

At the same time, the highest court requested the DDA to provide a definitive answer regarding whether the unauthorised cutting down of the tree was conducted in accordance with the directives from LG VK Saxena.

 

The court observed that, even though Vice Chairman Subhashish Panda has the authority to authorise tree felling, he is not permitted to do so without obtaining the court's approval.

 

"This is a serious issue. We are extremely pained to know that certain valuable trees are being felled. We expect better assistance from DDA," the court said.

 

The court further noted that as many as 1100 trees were chopped after the LG's visit and asked DDA counsel: "Two documents were placed on record that say the LG was directed to cut trees; how can you run away from this? Are you defending the LG?"