High Court notices on plea seeking protection of city forest

A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and justice Brijesh Sethi issued notices to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change(MoEF), DDA and the Delhi government.

Terming it to be a “serious issue”, the Delhi High Court on Friday sought the response of the Centre, Delhi Development Authority(DDA) and the Delhi government on a plea seeking directions to take proper and effective steps to protect the Jahanpanah City Forest and ensure that the nature and character of the city forest is not destroyed.

The court also directed the three above mentioned parties to “file status reports with regard to the allegations and acts of commission and omission indicated in the petition” and listed the matter for August 28. (HT File)

A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and justice Brijesh Sethi issued notices to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change(MoEF), DDA and the Delhi government. Advocate Amit Gupta had filed the public interest litigation (PIL) based on a Hindustan Times report highlighting the sorry state of affairs in the Jahanpanah city forest.

The court also directed the three above mentioned parties to “file status reports with regard to the allegations and acts of commission and omission indicated in the petition” and listed the matter for August 28.

On March 28, Hindustan Times had reported how illegal activities such as felling of trees, dumping of garbage, encroachment and open defecation by locals were threatening the Jahanpanah City Forest in south Delhi – one of the last dense green patches in the capital, sprawling over 435 acres.

In some places, the base of trees was concretised, violating orders of the National Green Tribunal. There were hardly any guards at the gates and people were seen consuming drugs inside the forest area. The toilets were found abandoned, giving rise to open defecation.

The forest department had also prepared a report highlighting the damage being done to the forest. The plea stated that urgent steps are required to be undertaken by the authorities by demarcation of the entire area to stop encroachment; by ensuring that efficacious afforestation is taken to compensate for the loss of 60–70 acres of land where plantation has been destroyed.

It also sought that proper water supply should be provided by way of tube well and rain water harvesting systems and an effective mechanism to check illegal tree cutting and fire during the summers.

The plea also sought directions for providing security inside and around the forest for the safety of the visitors, removal of illegal encroachments and garbage and repair of footpath, boundary walls and benches.