In a troubling environmental violation, a Dwarka tree felling incident has come to light after over 50 trees were allegedly felled in Sector 5 without proper clearance. A local resident of Himachal Apartments, Chetan Sharma, 38, raised the alarm after witnessing bulldozers clearing a nearby plot.
Resident Raises Alarm After Witnessing Bulldozers at Work
Chetan Sharma first noticed that several trees had been removed on Tuesday evening. The next morning, while walking his dog, he saw a bulldozer in action on the same plot. Realizing something was amiss, Sharma immediately contacted the Delhi Forest and Wildlife Department and the Delhi Police.
“The officers came within 30 minutes and called senior CPWD (Central Public Works Department) officials to the site,” Sharma said.
Forest Department Confirms Unauthorized Tree Felling
Sahil Lochhab, a forest beat officer handling the situation, confirmed that they were alerted via the department’s helpline. Upon inspection, it was found that the plot belonged to the National Institute of Immunology and the tree felling was allegedly part of a new government building project.
“The Forest Department has deployed personnel overnight to monitor the site,” Lochhab stated, adding that an official probe has been launched.
Case Registered Under DPTA, 1994
Amit Gemawat, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), West Delhi, confirmed that a case has been registered under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act (DPTA), 1994.
“We do not yet know the exact number of trees cut. We are verifying the girth size of tree stumps to confirm the count,” said Lochhab.
“A heavy penalty will be imposed on the individuals or authorities responsible.”
What Does the Law Say About Tree Felling in Delhi?
Under Section 9 of the DPTA, any entity intending to fell a tree in Delhi must:
- Submit an application to the tree officer concerned
- Await the officer’s decision within 60 days
- Obtain additional clearance from the Supreme Court-enabled Central Empowered Committee (CEC) if more than 50 trees are involved
This process is mandatory and aims to ensure ecological balance and prevent unregulated deforestation in urban areas.
Allegations: Over 50 Trees Cut Without Approval
Sources from the Delhi Forest Department suggest that over 50 mature trees of various species may have been felled. If confirmed, this would trigger a mandatory review by the CEC, per a Supreme Court directive issued in December.
The lack of prior approval, especially in such large numbers, would constitute a major violation of environmental law.
Role of the National Institute of Immunology and CPWD
The land in question is reportedly under the purview of the National Institute of Immunology, with construction being facilitated by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD).
While no official comment has yet been issued by either body, their involvement could place responsibility on both the executing and supervisory authorities if found guilty of bypassing due process.
Monitoring and Public Vigilance Continue
The Delhi Forest Department has stationed overnight staff to ensure no further damage is done to the green cover in the area. Meanwhile, the local community remains actively engaged, demanding transparency and accountability from the authorities involved.
This incident once again underscores the critical role of public vigilance in environmental protection.
Dwarka Tree Felling Incident Triggers Legal Scrutiny and Environmental Concerns
The Dwarka tree felling incident has sparked a swift response from the Delhi Forest Department, highlighting the growing awareness and importance of urban green cover. With a formal case now registered under the DPTA 1994, the next steps will be critical in determining the accountability of agencies like CPWD and the National Institute of Immunology.
As Delhi continues to battle pollution and green cover depletion, enforcing tree protection laws remains a public and governmental responsibility.
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