Delhi High Court Appoints Chief Secretary To Prevent Tree Felling For Delhi University Expansion

The Delhi High Court has appointed the Chief Secretary of the Delhi government as the nodal authority to develop a procedure to prevent the felling or transplantation of trees for the expansion or infrastructure development of the north campus of Delhi University. In a recent order, Justice Jasmeet Singh instructed the Chief Secretary to convene all relevant stakeholders, including the Delhi Urban Arts Commission (DUAC), amici curiae (advocates Aditya N Prasad, Gautam Narayan, and Prabhasahay Kaur), municipal authorities, and any other necessary agencies, to explore alternatives for expanding the university’s existing facilities vertically or underground instead of horizontally. Horizontal expansion is likely to involve the felling or transplantation of many trees.

Justice Singh emphasized the urgency of this task, recognizing the need to expand the university while protecting the environment. Additionally, the court directed the Director of the Institute of Secretariat Training and Management (ISTM) at the old JNU campus to maintain the status quo regarding tree felling at the institute.

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The court also highlighted that the role of the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) extends beyond merely granting permission for tree felling. The DCF is responsible for ensuring that permissions granted are implemented with the right spirit and intention, and must verify compliance with compensatory plantation and transplantation requirements. The court’s directives were issued during the hearing of a contempt petition alleging that the concerned officer had failed to comply with a previous court order.