NGT asks Delhi govt to plant 2K saplings in lieu of 216 trees

New Delhi, May 5: Expressing concern over reckless felling of trees in large numbers, the National Green Tribunal on Thursday directed Delhi government to plant 2,000 trees for chopping 216 trees in a residential colony in north east Delhi.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also pulled up the Chief Engineer of Public Works Department and warned him of imposing costs if he failed to abide by the orders of the tribunal.

"Respondents shall do afforestation of 2,000 trees in lieu of 216 trees felled in Yamuna Vihar," the bench said.

The tribunal had earlier restrained the city government from felling trees till further directions and directed filing of a contempt petition against it for defying its orders.

The direction came while hearing a plea by advocate S D Windlesh who had alleged that in a service lane of four square metres in a Yamuna Vihar colony, the PWD had cut nearly 400 trees without permission to widen the road.

The plea had said the service lane had a 15 metre-long lush green belt of trees which attracted residents in the mornings for walking, jogging and enjoying fresh air, but all of it was destroyed.

PTI