LI Network
Published on: 12 August 2023 at 12:23 IST
The Delhi High Court has directed various state authorities, including the NDMC, MCD, PWD, and DDA, to furnish a comprehensive action taken report concerning the status of tree plantation.
This action aims to utilize funds deposited by defaulting litigants as costs in various legal cases.
Justice Navin Chawla noted that compliance with the previous directive to plant trees presented a “gloomy picture.” He issued a warning that failure to comply now will be taken seriously by the court.
Based on the report submitted by advocate Aditya N Prasad, the court commissioner, the plantation process is progressing at an exceptionally sluggish pace despite repeated requests and follow-ups.
The report indicated that completion of the plantation will likely take nearly a year due to these delays. it was also pointed out that there is a lack of coordination among organizations and even between different departments within the same organizations.
The court’s recent order mandated that within two weeks from the current date, organizations such as NDMC, MCD, PWD, NHAI, DDA, etc., submit a comprehensive action taken report. Non-compliance with the court’s previous orders will be regarded seriously by the court.
The court emphasized that the officers in charge of ensuring tree plantation, like those from NDMC, MCD, PWD, NHAI, DDA, should seek cooperation from other relevant departments such as BSES, IGL, DJB.
Upon receiving such requests, the respective officers are obligated to provide full cooperation to expedite the plantation process.
Earlier this year, the high court mandated the plantation of a minimum of 10,000 trees in the city using over Rs 70 lakh collected from defaulting litigants as costs.
Additionally, the court requested its registry to publicize the Green Delhi Account’s availability in its ‘Cause List,’ indicating that contributions can be directly made by citizens and public-spirited entities.
