The Delhi High Court recently ruled that the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) will supervise the permission for felling 50 or more trees in the national capital, in line with a Supreme Court order.
Justice Jasmeet Singh, in his judgment, clarified that the existing permissions for felling up to 50 trees will remain in effect until the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is established and implemented by the city authorities.
"The orders dated 31 August 2023, 14 September 2023, and 09 August 2024, are vacated and modified to the extent that the permissions granted for felling for 50 or more trees will now be supervised by the CEC in terms of the order of the Hon'ble Supreme Court," the Court stated.
The judgment came in response to an application filed in a contempt plea related to a case concerning tree preservation in Delhi. The contempt plea argued that officials in the national capital were not adhering to judicial directions requiring Tree Officers to provide clear reasons for permitting the felling of trees.
In December 2024, the Supreme Court issued a directive that whenever Tree Officers approve the felling of 50 or more trees under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, such permissions must receive CEC approval before becoming effective.
"We therefore direct that whenever permission is granted by the tree officer for felling of 50 or more trees in accordance with Section 8 read with section 9 of 1994 Act, the said permission shall not be acted upon unless the same is approved by the CEC…CEC will consider the application and all other aspects thereof and will decide whether the permission deserved to be granted or whether any modification is required in the permission or terms and conditions imposed under the permission," the Supreme Court stated.
This development is significant for environmental conservation in Delhi, ensuring a stricter oversight process for the felling of a significant number of trees in the city.
Title: BHAVREEN KANDHARI v. SHRI C. D. SINGH AND ORS.
