‘We’ve lost a life — what else can be eye-opening?’: Delhi HC slams MCD after man crushed by tree

A division bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Dwarka resident and social activist Govind, requesting the court to direct authorities for the upkeep of designated green belt areas in the region. The PIL also sought that the court highlight how irregular maintenance of trees can pose a threat to public safety and traffic.

Alleging that the Tree Authority of MCD is not discharging its duties, the PIL requested that the authority be directed to prepare a detailed survey of trees and report of “all hazardous, obstructive or decaying trees in public areas and ensure their trimming, pruning and removal where required”.

Acceding to the petitioner’s request, the court directed both MCD and PWD to conduct a survey of trees in Dwarka to ascertain the number of trees in need of pruning.

It further ordered that the pruning of trees be completed within four weeks after completion of the survey. Refusing to relent to MCD’s request that the time to prune the trees be extended to six weeks, the bench orally remarked, “We have lost a life, what else can be more eye-opening for MCD?”

While noting that “it is common knowledge that during monsoon… several incidents of falling of trees causing damage to life and property are reported”, the bench underlined that the situation “warrants the authorities to act promptly and follow the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)” as contained in the Delhi government’s May 2 notification.

The Department of Forests and Wildlife, in its notice, had issued a SOP for tending and pruning of trees under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994.

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