HC seeks info on status of deemed forests in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked several city authorities, including DDA, MCD, NDMC, PWD and others, to provide information about the status of deemed forests within their jurisdiction.
Justice Jasmeet Singh noted that the details on the "deemed forests" were given by the authorities to the Supreme Court in an affidavit in 1997 and asked them to provide information about their latest status to the forest department.
"DDA, MCD, Northern Railway, Irrigation & Flood Control, PWD, NDMC, L&DO, shall give the required information as sought by the department of forest and wildlife within one week," HC said, asking the forest department to file an affidavit before it after receiving all the information.
The court, hearing a petition on preservation of green cover in the national capital, also sought a report from the authorities concerned on the status of compensatory afforestation done pursuant to the damage caused to several trees on Vikas Marg.
Asserting that it "cannot turn a blind eye" to environmental damage and "there has to be balance between development and conservation", the court cautioned it may take action. "Respondent shall file an affidavit indicating steps taken... with respect to the plantation of 820 trees for the damage to 82 trees at Vikas Marg," it said.
During the hearing, the court also asked Delhi government to inform if a permanent committee, as suggested by petitioner's lawyer Aditya N Prasad, to monitor the judicial orders' compliance on plantation of trees, can be set up.
Earlier, while hearing another plea with respect to tree plantation, HC had stressed on the need for greater green cover in the national capital and asked the authorities to find land to create another forest area besides the ridge.
It further granted time to the conservator of forest to file his response with respect to identification of alternative land for creation of a forest, number of trees planted, quantum of forest land that has been "lost" and "redeemed" as well as other related issues.