In a significant development, the Delhi High Court has issued a contempt of court notice to the Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF), South Division, for allegedly sanctioning the felling and transplantation of trees at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus, in contravention of a previous court order.
Presiding, Justice Jasmeet Singh expressed dismay at Delhi Forest Department’s failure to inform the court about granting permission for cutting two trees and relocating 132 others, despite addressing the matter on May 3.
This move comes in the wake of a 2022 directive mandating tree officers to furnish detailed justifications for the felling of even a single tree.
On August 31, 2023, the Delhi government assured the court that it would not grant permissions for tree felling until the next hearing, except for crucial projects, which would necessitate court notification.
However, recent proceedings revealed unauthorized tree felling and transplantation on April 29 for a construction project at the Institute of Secretariat Training and Management (ISTM), Old JNU Campus.
The Forest Division initially filed an application but later withdrew it, seeking clarification on whether they should merely intimate or formally submit permissions for court approval.
An affidavit from the DCF, South Division, supported and strengthened this application.
In response, Justice Singh clarified that the court’s earlier observations did not grant blanket permission for DCFs to authorize tree cutting for significant projects, contradicting the August 2023 order.
The court found the DCF prima facie guilty of contempt and demanded an explanation for not initiating contempt proceedings against him.
The matter underscores the importance of adhering to environmental regulations and court directives to preserve green cover and ecological balance in urban areas.
