Supreme Court Condemns DDA for Axing Trees in Satbari, New Delhi
NHRC Declares Clean Air a Fundamental Human Right
Image Source: cnbctv18
The Supreme Court has sharply criticised the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for cutting down trees in the southern ridge’s Satbari area to construct an 11-kilometer road from Chhatarpur to Saket University. The court has deemed the DDA’s actions as criminal contempt and demanded data on the number of trees felled. Emphasising the importance of each tree, the court expressed strong disapproval of the act.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued an advisory stating that environmental pollution affects human rights. By cutting down trees, the DDA is denying Delhi residents their right to clean air. Delhi, known for its severe pollution levels, relies heavily on its green cover to combat environmental issues.
AK Jain, Former Commissioner of DDA, stated, “DDA is recognised for developing green spaces. Delhi has 20% of its land under greenery, compared to Bangalore’s 14%, Kolkata’s 7%, and Mumbai’s 4%. Delhi has a tradition of being a green city, and this action is highly unfortunate and should not have happened.”
Arti Khosla, Founder of Climate Trends and Environmentalist, commented, “We are living in an era of high temperatures and heat waves, especially in urban areas like Delhi. Trees help protect us from the heat island effect. Cutting down 400 trees in a city struggling to breathe is unprecedented and preposterous. Trees absorb pollutants, including ozone, which forms at high temperatures. By cutting these trees, we are removing a vital source of pollution mitigation.”
This controversy highlights the ongoing struggle between development and environmental conservation, with the Supreme Court and NHRC stressing the importance of maintaining green spaces for the health and well-being of Delhi’s residents.
Team Profile
- Content Editor
- Yangchula Bhutia is a budding journalist currently pursuing her Master's degree in Journalism at Jadavpur University. Her passion lies in environmental issues, and she aspires to make a difference through impactful storytelling focused on environmental challenges and solutions.
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