Fact Finding Committee constituted to probe illegal cutting of trees in Delhi's Southern Ridge

New Delhi [India], June 29 : In the wake of illegal cutting of 1100 trees in Delhi's Southern Ridge, a three-member Fact Finding Committee comprising of Cabinet Ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi, and Imran Hussain has been constituted, who will submit their report to Delhi Environment Minister.
This came amid reports of illegal cutting of trees by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in Southern Ridge.
During the meeting held on June 26 with the officers of Forest Department, Environment and Forest Minister was briefed that violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and violation of Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994 that had taken place by way of illegal cutting of trees by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in Southern Ridge, the Minutes of the Meeting released from the Environment Minister's Office said.
It was also briefed that DDA had applied for the cutting of trees to competent authority in the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi but, in contravention of all existing laws and procedures, the trees were illegally cut before obtaining necessary permissions, it said.
"DCF (South) reported during the meeting that notices were issued dt. 05.03.2024 and 22.03.2024 to Sh. Pankaj Verma O/o The Chief Engineer, DDA, Shahpur Jat, New Delhi and SE(P&HQ)/South Zone, O/o The Chief Engineer, South Zone, AGVC Shahpur Jat, New Delhi under the relevant Acts for further proceedings in the matter of illegal felling of trees. However, it is unfortunate that even after passage of more than 3 months, no concrete action has been taken on the offenders by concluding the matter by the tree officer concerned," the release read.
In order to get a clear picture of the alleged offence, in the meeting held on June 26, the Environment Minister directed Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest to submit a chronological detail and up-to-date status of the matter latest by June 27 at 11.00 AM.
The same was not received till June 28 at 11.00 am. Thereafter a reminder note was sent on June 28 to submit the same latest by same day but no report was received from Forest Department.
Considering the seriousness of the issue involving illegal cutting of about 1100 trees, an all Minister meeting was held on June 29 at 3:00 pm in the chamber of the Environment Minister at the Delhi Secretariat to discuss the issue.
The meeting was attended by Environment Minister Gopal Rai, Urban Development Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj, and Food and Supply Minister Imran Hussain. Public Works Department Minister Atishi joined the meeting in virtual mode, the release said,
After detailed deliberations on the matter, since no report has been received on the matter by the Forest Department till Saturday, it was decided to constitute a three member Fact Finding Committee.