The Delhi High Court bans felling of trees in Central Ridge and orders disposal of waste

The Delhi High Court has ruled that no more felling of trees or removal of shrubs and other shrubs will be allowed in the Central Ridge in the national capital without the Court’s permission.

The court also directed the Forest Department and other local authorities to ensure that no garbage or other waste material is dumped in the Central Ridge.

“The concerned authorities are immediately requested take action and remove all trash and waste material from the Central Ridge,” Justice Mini Pushkarna said.

Spanning over 864 hectares, Central Ridge is located in Delhi’s Northern Aravalli Leopard Corridor. It was converted into a reserved forest in 1914 and extends from just south of Sadar Bazaar to Dhaula Kuan. Malcha Mahal is a Tuglaq-era hunting lodge located in the Central Ridge.

The court noted that despite the promise According to indications from the forest officials, extensive felling of trees and forest land took place in the Central Ridge.

Looking at the photos, the court said that the area in Central Ridge was burned, destroying not only the trees but also the bushes have been destroyed, leaving only wasteland.

“The photos also show widespread waste dumping in the Central Ridge. This is a very serious situation,” the court said.

It added that the Central Ridge should not be allowed to degenerate through tree felling and brush removal, while the city is already “struggling with the urgent problem of rising pollution levels, which reached dangerous proportions.”

Justice Pushkarna also noted that the Central Ridge “which is our green heritage” is being used as a dumping ground for garbage and other waste material.

Observing that the Central Ridge not only provides but is the precious green cover in Delhi valuable for maintaining environmental balance, the court ruled:

“In view of the above serious deficiencies in maintaining the precious green cover in the Central Ridge, the Forest Department is directed to submit a statement as to how and in what manner felling of trees and dumping of garbage and other waste material has been permitted will take place in the Central Ridge.”

The court was hearing a contempt plea in which Amicus Curiae, advocates Gautam Narayan and Aditya N Prasad, had filed a brief raising certain issues regarding cases where parties were given directions to plant trees in the national capital.

The case will now be heard on May 24.

Counsel for the petitioner: Mr. Gautam Narayan met

Ms. Prabhsahay Kaur and Mr. Aditya N. Prasad, Amicus Curiae

Counsel for respondents: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with 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

Title: ANJALI COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND SCIENCE THROUGH ITS FOUNDER -CUM CHAIRMAN DEVENDRA GUPTA v. DR. MONTU M. PATEL PRESIDENT PHARMACY COUNCIL OF INDIA & ANR.

Click here to read the order