Showcause notices over inaction on tree felling

New Delhi: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued showcause notices to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and the Forest Department for failing to act on the illegal cutting of a fully-grown tree in a public park in DDA Market No. 3 in Y-Block, Mangolpuri, northwest Delhi.

The notices were issued after a local resident filed a plea seeking enforcement of the tribunal's earlier order from March 4, 2024. The tribunal earlier directed the tree officer and DPCC to act and submit reports. However, as no compliance was made, the NGT has now issued notices and directed the applicant to serve notice and file an affidavit of service, which involves submitting a report on the ground situation.

In the latest order dated July 1, the tribunal, led by chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, stated: "The applicant is seeking action on our earlier directions regarding the illegal felling of a tree in Mangolpuri by the Horticulture Department of MCD."

The March order had instructed the tree officer to submit a report to the DPCC within four weeks. DPCC, in turn, was to act as per legal provisions and submit an action taken report to the NGT within four months.

"Forest Department was supposed to ensure the report was filed promptly and the DPCC was to take necessary action. If required, the matter would be brought back before the bench," the tribunal had earlier stated.

However, the applicant's counsel told the bench that no action has been taken so far. Acknowledging this, the tribunal said: "As no steps have been taken by the Forest Department, we are now issuing a notice to them. The applicant must serve the notice and file proof of service before the next hearing."

The NGT has now asked for an affidavit from the applicant detailing the current condition at the site.