'First Show Us Compliance With Afforestation Directions': Supreme Court To DDA On Plea To Fell Trees In Delhi Ridge

The Supreme Court today asserted that it will allow the Delhi Development Authority to cut further trees in the ridge area only after it is satisfied that previous directions on aforestation and restoration have been complied with. 

The bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing an application filed by the DDA seeking permission to cut 473 trees to complete the road widening project that links to CAPFIMS Hospital.  The DDA also seeks directions for translocating 2519 saplings of trees and shrubs and the diversion of 2.97 hectares of Forest Land for road construction. 

Notably, on May 28, 2025, the Court had directed that every notification or order regarding afforestation, road construction, tree felling or any activity with potential ecological effect must explicitly mention the pendency of the relevant proceedings before this Court. The Court had also passed other directions regarding afforestation.

During the hearing today, the CJI verbally observed that any further felling permissions will be granted only after the Court is satisfied that the earlier directions of May 28 have been complied with. The CJI asked :  "We will allow anything to happen unless we have ourselves been satisfied with the compliance...where is the compliance... what happened to 1.65 lakhs trees and 18 pockets." 

SG Tushar Mehta and Sr Advocate Maninder Singh appeared for the DDA. Singh informed the bench that the land of 185 acres was identified and possession was handed over, and the DDA is about to complete the creation of the boundary walls by February 28. 

Another counsel also appearing for the DDA informed that tenders have been issued to execute plantation on 18 sites, which have identified under 185 acres of total land.  

SG requested time till Friday for seeking proper instructions on the progress of compliance so far. 

The CJI asserted, "We need a complete report on what steps have been taken in all the 18 sites so far, and what are you going to do?" 

The SG stressed that the saplings would be required to be relocated else the road construction would not be completed. He added that so far, the CAPFIMS Hospital only has a functional OPD and other branches are yet to start. 

Sr Advocate Gopal Sankarnarayanan, appearing as the amicus in the matter, submitted that the present saplings have been planted in place of the earlier trees which the DDA fell without permission of the Court. The CJI added, " those sapplings were planted out of fear of contempt (in lighter vein)....." 

The CJI said that the bench will not allow anything to be hurried and would want to first examine the progress so far. He further remarked in a lighter vein, " we do not want these 18 pockets as AI-generated forests !" 

The bench will now hear the matter on January 19. 

Case Details :  Bindu Kapurea v. Subhasish Panda, Dairy No. 21171-2024