New Delhi, May 28 

The Supreme Court on Tuesday pulled up officials of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for unauthorized tree-cutting in the ecologically sensitive Delhi Ridge area and imposed a cost of ₹25,000 on each officer involved.

A Bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan observed that the DDA carried out the felling without prior approval, in violation of environmental norms and standing judicial directions. The Court stated that the Ridge was not “just another tract of land” but a notified forest area deserving the highest ecological sensitivity.

Rejecting the officials’ explanation that the act was inadvertent, the Court said such violations showed disregard for environmental law and set a poor precedent.

The Court directed that the fines be paid personally by the officials and deposited in the Delhi Green Fund, earmarked for ecological restoration efforts. DDA was also instructed to file an affidavit detailing remedial and preventive measures.

Ridge’s Significance

The Delhi Ridge, a northern extension of the Aravalli Hills, serves as a critical green buffer for the capital, helping control pollution, preserving biodiversity, and supporting groundwater recharge.