No permission for felling of trees in Delhi until September 14: Delhi Govt to High Court

The petitioner had moved an application seeking an early hearing of the contempt plea arguing that despite the April 2022 order, authorities were “recklessly granting permission for felling of trees”.

Appearing for the Delhi Government, Advocate Dhairya Gupta said as recorded in HC’s August 31 order, “till the next date of hearing no permission for felling of trees for any individuals will be granted and any permission required for important projects will be intimated to the Court”.

The HC then listed the matter for hearing on September 14.

Perusing the permissions granted by the officers for felling of trees in the city Justice Singh observed, “A perusal of the permissions granted by the respondent for felling of trees seems to suggest that there is total non-application of mind while granting permissions. Some of the permissions show that trees have been permitted to be cut for individuals requiring parking spaces for their vehicles”.

The High Court also directed authorities to bring on September 14 the files pertaining to granting of permissions (as per the application) of all the trees that have been felled.

In November last year, the High Court had asked Delhi’s principal chief conservator of forests to ensure that the orders permitting the tree felling under the Delhi Preservation Of Trees Act be uploaded within 48 hours of being passed.