The Supreme Court, while hearing the Delhi Ridge tree felling contempt case, directed the Delhi government’s Forest Department to submit a detailed report on the suitability of 185 acres of land earmarked for compensatory afforestation.
A Bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan, and Joymalya Bagchi suggested that the authorities consider dividing the compensatory plantation across 18 different pockets in Delhi rather than concentrating it on a single stretch, noting that such an approach would be environmentally beneficial and equitable.
The Bench ordered the Revenue Department and DDA to hand over unconditional possession of the 18th site and directed the Forest Department to begin plantation under the supervision of the Expert Committee, extending the timeline for completion till March 31, 2026.
The Court also noted that the DDA has already released funds to the Forest Department and directed the construction of perimeter walls around the plantation sites to be expedited.