The Delhi High Court has ordered that no more trees be cut down or shrubs and bushes removed from the Central Ridge in the national capital without the Court’s permission.
Additionally, the Forest Department and other local authorities must prevent any dumping of garbage or waste material in the Central Ridge.
Justice Mini Pushkarna stated, “The relevant authorities must promptly act to remove all garbage and waste material from the Central Ridge.”
The Central Ridge, spanning over 864 hectares, lies within the Northern Aravalli leopard wildlife corridor in Delhi. Designated as a Reserved Forest since 1914, it stretches from just south of Sadar Bazaar to Dhaula Kuan. Inside the Central Ridge is Malcha Mahal, a hunting lodge from the Tuglaq era.
The court observed that despite assurances from forest officials, significant tree felling and forest clearing were occurring in the Central Ridge.
Upon reviewing the photographs, the court noted that significant burning had occurred in the Central Ridge area, resulting in the destruction of both trees and shrubs, leaving behind vacant land.
“The photographs also reveal extensive dumping of garbage in the Central Ridge. This is a very serious situation,” remarked the court.
The court emphasized that the ongoing degradation of the Central Ridge through tree felling and shrub removal was unacceptable, especially given the city’s severe pollution levels.
Justice Pushkarna further remarked that the Central Ridge, representing Delhi’s green heritage, was being misused as a dumping site for garbage and other waste materials.
Recognizing the Central Ridge’s importance for maintaining green cover and environmental balance in Delhi, the court directed the Forest Department to provide an explanation regarding how and why tree felling, garbage dumping, and other activities were allowed to occur in the Central Ridge.
The court was addressing a contempt petition where Amicus Curiae, Advocates Gautam Narayan and Aditya N Prasad, submitted a brief highlighting specific issues related to cases where parties were directed to plant trees in the national capital.
The next hearing for this matter is scheduled for May 24.
Petitioner’s Counsel: Mr. Gautam Narayan, Ms. Prabhsahay Kaur, and Mr. Aditya N. Prasad (Amicus Curiae)
Respondents’ Counsel: Mr. Kirtiman Singh (CGSC), Mr. Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Varun Rajawat, Mr. Kartik Baijal, Ms. Vidhi Jain, and Ms. Shreya V Mehra (Advocates for UOI); Mr. Sameer Vashisht (ASC, GNCTD)
