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The ongoing controversy surrounding the felling of trees in Delhi's Ridge Forest has taken a new turn with the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, VK Saxena, claiming he was not informed about the requirement of obtaining permission from the Supreme Court for the clearance of trees. This assertion comes as a response to a contempt case initiated by the Supreme Court against the Vice Chairman of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Subhasish Panda, over the felling of approximately 1100 trees for a road widening project.
Saxena, who is also the Chairperson of DDA, submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court stating that he was only made aware of the court's permission requirement on March 21, 2024, through a proposal by the DDA to constitute a Committee of Experts. This was long after the actual felling of trees, which commenced on February 16, 2024, and continued until February 26, 2024. The LG further disclosed that he was informed about the tree felling only through a letter from the DDA Vice Chairman on June 10, 2024, which was issued pursuant to the Court's directives.
The affidavit also highlights that the DDA's Inquiry Committee has identified three main officers responsible for the illegal felling of trees: Shri Manoj Kumar Yadav, Executive Engineer, SMD 5, DDA; Shri Pawan Kumar, AE-I, SMD-5, South Zone, Engineering Division, DDA; and Shri Ayush Saraswat, AE-II, SMD-5, South Zone, Engineering Division, DDA. These officers, who acted 'on their own accord', have faced disciplinary actions, including suspension and inquiry.
Saxena's affidavit further states that the DDA had received approvals for the project from the Ridge Management Board on June 18, 2024, and from the Ministry of Environment and Forest on March 1, 2024. The Tree Officer, under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, also issued permission to fell 422 trees on February 15, 2024. However, despite these approvals, the LG maintains his lack of awareness about the need for Supreme Court permission for the tree felling.
The LG's statement has sparked debate about the accountability of the DDA and its officials for the illegal felling of trees. The Supreme Court is expected to scrutinize the LG's affidavit and determine the extent of his involvement in the project. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the future of the Ridge Forest and for the enforcement of environmental regulations in Delhi.
This controversy also raises questions about the effectiveness of the DDA's internal mechanisms and procedures in safeguarding environmental regulations. The DDA's Inquiry Committee has identified specific officers responsible for the illegal tree felling, but the fact that such an incident could occur despite existing regulations and approvals raises concerns about the overall oversight and monitoring of projects by the DDA. This case underscores the need for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations and the importance of ensuring transparency and accountability in the decision-making processes of government bodies.