In a significant move to bolster the green cover in Delhi, the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Dehradun to revisit the budget allocations for its action plan aimed at enhancing the greenery of the national capital. The directive emerged amid concerns raised by the bench, comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, that some of the proposed expenses were excessively high.
The justices suggested that FRI could seek assistance from the National Informatics Centre to prepare a revised budget proposal and submit it to the Delhi government within the next month. The court emphasized the urgent need for initiating the first phase of the project, instructing the Delhi government to release the necessary funds post-haste once the revised budget is received. This move is aimed at avoiding any delay in the commencement of the plan’s initial phase despite potential queries from the government.
Further, the Supreme Court noted ambiguities in the definition of a ‘tree’ under The Delhi Preservation Of Trees Act, 1994. It directed the FRI to adopt the definition as provided by the Forest Survey of India to clear any inconsistencies.
Scrutinizing the proposed timelines for the project, the bench remarked that the 15-month duration set for the first phase seemed prolonged and urged the FRI to accelerate the tree census process. Similarly, it called for a reduction in the 24-month timeline planned for Phase 3, advocating for a more expedited approach to enhancing the city’s foliage.
This judicial intervention follows the court’s appointment of FRI on February 17 to formulate an action plan for this purpose, reflecting ongoing judicial oversight into environmental issues in Delhi. Previously, the court had also urged local government and civic bodies to discuss comprehensive measures for addressing the diminishing green spaces in the city, highlighting the rising temperatures and the impact on residents.
