National Desk, 3rd November: Amidst the worsening air pollution issue in the nation’s capital, the Delhi High Court chastised the city’s forest department on Friday, accusing it of taking a “casual approach” to tree felling. The court voiced serious concerns about the declining quality of the air and questioned the forest department’s desire for Delhi’s residents to have to live in “gas chambers.”
The court’s exasperation was prompted by its perception of “non-speaking” and “stereotypical” orders that had authorized tree felling in Delhi without providing adequate justifications for such actions. These actions were identified as a significant contributing factor to the city’s hazardous air pollution levels, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching alarming heights.
Justice Jasmeet Singh, the presiding authority during the proceedings, emphatically underscored the imperative of heightened sensitivity among government officials. In a poignant statement, he addressed their responsibility for the prevailing environmental challenges faced by the citizens of Delhi, primarily due to alarming levels of pollution. Justice Singh highlighted the existence of air quality monitoring machines, capable of registering data up to 999, and expressed concern over the current figures reaching that maximum threshold. He specifically pointed to the deficiency in sensitivity as a core issue that needs urgent attention and action.
These comments were made during the hearing of a petition filed against the Delhi forest authorities for permitting tree felling without proper justification. Significantly, on September 14, the court had issued an order prohibiting tree felling in the city for construction purposes while the case was under consideration.
Advocate Aditya N Prasad, who served as the legal representative for petitioner Bhavreen Kandhari, passionately argued that the forest department had persistently issued “non-reasoned orders” and allowed tree felling in direct contradiction to the court’s previous directives. In response to this assertion, the court conveyed its stern disapproval, categorizing these actions as a “blatant violation of our orders.” The court did not mince words, accusing the department of “dereliction of duty” and “cutting corners,” while also emphasizing their “total disregard of the court’s orders.” This unequivocal criticism serves as a poignant reminder of the pressing need to address the intricate issue of air pollution in Delhi, a problem that substantially jeopardizes the health and well-being of the city’s residents.