The Delhi High Court on Thursday intervened to protect the century-old trees located next to the historical sites of Mazar-e-Ghalib and Chaunsath Khamba, in response to concerns over illegal tree cutting and construction activities. The court’s directive came after a petition was filed by the Hazrat Nizamuddin Welfare Association, highlighting the unauthorized removal of trees in the area surrounding these protected monuments.
Justice Sanjeev Narula issued notices to key stakeholders, including the Deputy Conservator of Forests (South), the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the CEO of the Delhi Waqf Board, and Delhi Police officials, instructing them to ensure that no trees are cut down without proper authorization. They are also required to file status reports within two weeks, with the matter set for further hearing on September 17.
Advocate Mujeeb Ahmed, representing the petitioner, brought to light the distressing situation where 100-year-old trees were being encircled with high-rise tin sheds as part of an illegal construction scheme. This activity began in July, and recent observations indicate that while some trees still stand, others have been reduced to logs.
The court’s decision aims to halt the ongoing deforestation, suspected to be driven by local construction interests, often referred to as the ‘builder mafia.’ The NGO’s complaints to the police had previously gone unaddressed, prompting the legal action that brought the issue before the High Court.
In addition to the immediate protection of the trees, the petition also seeks the removal of the illegally installed tin sheds and a stop to all unauthorized construction activities near the historic sites.
