Delhi Ridge Tree Felling : Supreme Court Seeks Report From Forest Dept On Compensatory Afforestation

In a follow-up to the Delhi Ridge Tree Felling contempt case, the Supreme Court today called for a detailed report from the Forest Department of Delhi government with regard to the suitability of 185 acres of land allocated for compensatory afforestation/plantation.

"[The report] shall also briefly explain the species of the plants resolved to be planted and the timeline within which the plantation will be completed. In respect of the other directions also, the Chief Secretary, GNCTD and Vice Chairman, DDA are directed to file their respective status reports. Forest Department will also place on record a sketch plan depicting the location of the 185 acres of land within the NCT of Delhi alongwith the proposal for plantation", the Court ordered.

Insofar as the Forest Department claimed that the allocated land is not fenced, and therefore, some more funds may be required from DDA, the Court asked the Department to raise the demand and file an affidavit in case of any reluctance on part of DDA. "Funds should not be an impediment", the Court said.

The Court also orally called for a report from Mr Ishwar Singh, member of the Expert Committee constituted by it. When it was informed that the said member has been appointed to the NGT, the Court said that he can still file the report.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi was dealing with a miscellaneous application with respect to the DDA's compliance with the May 28 judgment. On this date, a Committee was constituted by the Court to frame an afforestation plan, which the Forest Department was to implement under its supervision. The entire cost of the afforestation was directed to be borne by the DDA. The Court also directed the identification of 185 acres of land, details of which were to be reported to the Committee.

Today, a status report was placed before the Court on behalf of DDA. Senior Advocate Maninder Singh informed that the requisite land has been allotted and trees for afforestation identified. Likewise, counsel for the Forest Department, GNCTD stated that the land has been handed over to the department.

Justice Kant enquired from the Forest Department counsel about the planting status, noting that September would be a good time to plant certain species. When the counsel said that the best season to plant, according to the authorities, would be February onwards, the judge replied that for some plants September-October may be a good time and opinion can be taken in this regard from the Expert Committee members.

Notably, counsel for the petitioner claimed that the compliance report placed on record was in deviation of the Court's May 28 order. Observing that the report was partial in nature, Justice Kant said that the petitioner may file an affidavit, pointing out what has been complied with and what remains.

Case Title: BINDU KAPUREA Versus SUBHASISH PANDA AND ORS., MA 1652/2025