SC asks LG to file personal affidavit on Delhi ridge tree-felling

Supreme Court directs Delhi LG to file affidavit on illegal tree felling, demands accountability and action by October 22.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (October 16, 2024) directed the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi, V.K. Saxena, who is also Chairperson of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), to file a personal affidavit on the circumstances leading to the illegal felling of over 1,000 valuable trees by the statutory body in the protected ridge area as part of a road-widening project.

A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud said the court wanted to get its information from the highest authority in the DDA. It said Mr. Saxena must take personal responsibility while framing the contents of his affidavit.

The court was addressing allegations that Mr. Saxena visited the road project site in the southern ridge area on February 3 and had directed the widening work to be expedited. The actual felling of the trees had commenced on February 16.

The chopping of trees in the non-forest areas of the national capital required permission variously from the Tree Officer under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994. For felling trees in forest area in Delhi, prior permission had to be mandatorily obtained from the Supreme Court as well as the Centre under the Forest Conservation Act.

Also Read: What are the laws preventing tree felling in Delhi? | Explained

The court recorded in the order that the trees in question had been actually felled even before DDA moved the top court for permission. The top court had refused permission for cutting the trees on March 4.

The court pointed out that there was no sign of the timber. The records did not show if the logs were inventoried. Their location was also unknown.