Delhi High Court Orders Declaration of Reserved Forests

Delhi High Court Orders Declaration of Reserved Forests

VoM News Desk | November 8, 2023 | 07:03 PM IST | Courts & Law | Follow on Google News

Delhi High Court Orders Declaration of Reserved Forests

Delhi High Court Orders Declaration of Reserved Forests

In a significant environmental ruling, the Delhi High Court mandated the Delhi Government to designate the unencroached forest areas as reserved forests. This directive aligns with the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) January 2021 order, aimed at enhancing forest conservation efforts in the national capital.

Imminent Contempt for Non-Compliance

Justice Jasmeet Singh warned the Delhi Government of a contempt of court notice if it fails to comply with the order. The Chief Secretary has been given a strict two-week deadline to issue the notification, underscoring the court’s firm stance on the matter. The hearing is scheduled to resume on December 15, by which time actions taken will be evaluated.

Court’s Displeasure at Government Inaction

The High Court expressed its dissatisfaction with the Delhi Government’s inaction over the past three years since the NGT’s directive. Justice Singh pointedly criticized the government’s inability to safeguard the forests, highlighting the urgency and importance of government responsibility in environmental protection. The court also took note of the slow progress in reclaiming encroached forest lands, with a stark discrepancy between the amount of land encroached and the land that has been recovered.

VoM News Desk

VoM News is an online web portal in jammu Kashmir offers regional, National & global news.