Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has submitted to the Supreme Court that he was unaware of the need for court permission to fell 600 trees in the capital’s Ridge area, part of the Aravalli forest range. This claim was made in a personal affidavit ahead of a court hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
The Supreme Court had earlier directed Saxena, who also serves as the chairperson of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), to file a personal affidavit outlining details of his visit to the Ridge area on February 3 and to explain the actions taken to address the unauthorized tree cutting. The court also sought clarification on when Saxena became aware of the need for permission to proceed with the tree felling.
Key Points from the Affidavit
In his affidavit, Saxena recounted his visit to the Ridge area on February 3, during which he assessed a medical facility project being developed for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). He emphasized the importance of the project and the significant resources that had already been invested.
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The Lieutenant Governor stated that while returning from this visit, he stopped at a road-widening site but was not informed by anyone present that the court’s approval was required for tree felling in the area. It wasn’t until March 21, after the DDA filed an application seeking permission for tree removal, that he became aware of the legal requirement.
He further noted that he was informed of the tree felling, which had commenced around February 16, 2024, via a letter from the DDA’s Vice Chairman on June 10, 2024.
Officers Held Responsible
The affidavit identified several DDA officials responsible for the unauthorized tree felling:
Manoj Kumar Yadav, DDA executive engineer, who instructed the contractor to cut the trees.
Pawan Kumar and Ayush Saraswat, both from the DDA’s engineering division, who permitted the felling.
Pankaj Verma, Superintending Engineer, and Mr. Yadav were also accused of withholding critical information from the court.
Supreme Court’s Ongoing Contempt Case
The Supreme Court is currently hearing a contempt case against certain DDA and Delhi government officials over the illegal axing of trees. In previous hearings, the court suggested that criminal action could be taken against the responsible officers if agreed upon by the chairperson.
The controversy surrounding the felling of trees in the Ridge area, a vital ecological zone in Delhi, has prompted concerns from environmental groups and the public. The area is considered an extension of the Aravalli range and is protected due to its significance for Delhi’s environment.
