The state government has declared that the 41-kilometre area of the Southern Ridge will be a "Reserved Forest", which will significantly increase Delhi's green cover and improve air quality.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday held that conduct of DDA on illegal felling of trees in Southern Ridge of Delhi to widen a road was contemptuous and issued detailed directions for remedial measures needed by DDA and the Delhi government.
The order of the apex court came on a contempt case initiated by it against the Vice Chairman of the DDA, Subhasish Panda, over the felling of about 1100 trees in southern ridge area of Delhi for road widening purposes.
A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih was told that the police were making enquiries in relation to the petitioners and had even sought details regarding their bank accounts.
The Supreme Court has issued notice to GNCTD to file an affidavit in the matter. The committee has to submit the factual report to the court by July 11.
During the meeting held on June 26 with the officers of Forest Department, Environment and Forest Minister was briefed that violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and violation of Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994 that had taken place by way of illegal cutting of trees by the Delhi
The Supreme Court on Thursday issued a criminal contempt of court notice to the Vice Chairman of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in the matter relating to the felling of trees in Delhi's Ridge Forest area.