Delhi government informs NGT 2,000 trees planted for chopping 216 trees in Delhi

Delhi government’s Horticulture Department has informed the National Green Tribunal that it has planted 2,000 trees for chopping 216 trees in a residential colony in north east Delhi.

The Horticulture Department also gave an undertaking to the green panel that it would ensure proper maintenance of these trees and look after them over the next five years.

Taking note of the submission, a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar recalled its order slapping a fine of Rs 10,000 each on Chief Engineer of Public Works Department and Director of Horticulture department for non-compliance of its orders.

“Status Report has been filed by Deputy Director, Horticulture wherein, it is stated that 2000 trees have already been planted and 100 more trees are in the process of being planted in the same colony i.e., Yamuna Vihar. The Department of Horticulture and PWD shall comply with this statement...

“In view of the fact that the Department has complied with the directions contained in the Order of the Tribunal and has given a specific undertaking to the Tribunal that they will plant the requisite number of trees and ensure their proper maintenance and to look after in the coming 5 years, we recall our Order dated July 5, 2016,”the bench noted.

The tribunal had earlier restrained the city government from felling trees till further directions and directed filing of a contempt petition against it for defying its orders.

The direction came during the hearing of a plea by advocate S D Windlesh who had alleged that in a service lane of four square metres in a Yamuna Vihar colony, the PWD had cut nearly 400 trees without permission to widen the road.

The plea had said the service lane had a 15 metre-long lush green belt of trees which attracted residents in the mornings for walking, jogging and enjoying fresh air, but all of it was destroyed.