The Delhi High Court has sought the Centre’s stance on a petition regarding the deployment of forces for the protection of forests in the national capital from illegal activities or encroachments by land grabbers and mafia.
A single judge, Justice Subramonium Prasad, presided over the matter. The court’s directive arose from a petition urging the Central government to assign an adequate number of Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers to the Delhi government’s Department of Forests and Wildlife.
In response, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests highlighted the constant threats faced by forest officials from land grabbers and mafia, resulting in rampant encroachment on forest land. A proposal has been made for engaging the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in forest areas, although the counsel for the Centre indicated that CISF rules do not permit such deployment.
The bench directed the counsel for the Union of India to determine if any other force could be deployed for forest protection to prevent illegal activities or encroachments by land grabbers and mafia.
The petitioner had sought the court’s direction for the urgent deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel to support and protect the lives of frontline forestry staff and safeguard the reserved and protected forests of the national capital.
Furthermore, the court rejected the Delhi government’s plea to waive the costs of Rs 50,000 imposed for failing to file a reply in the matter. Considering the non-compliance with repeated directions, the court declined to waive the costs and directed the city government to deposit the amount into the ‘Green Delhi Account’ within two weeks.
The court specified that the deposited amount would be utilized for planting trees of various species, including Pilkhan, Amaltas, Peepal, Goolar, Kadam, and Neem, each having a nursery age of four years.
The petitioner emphasized the need for better protective equipment, firearms, and staff strength for forest rangers, guards, and field staff of the State Forest Department in the national capital.
Represented by lawyers Gautam Narayan and Aditya N Prasad, the petitioner highlighted the staff’s vulnerability to threats and assaults while carrying out their statutory duties.
Citing Article 21 of the Constitution, the petition underscored the petitioner’s right to a clean and healthy environment.
Additionally, the petition called for the establishment of a training school by the Delhi government and the creation of forest stations in all forest divisions of the city, similar to those in Kerala, to enhance the protection and management of forest and wildlife.
It also urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to deploy an adequate number of Central Armed Police Forces personnel with the Department of Forests urgently to support frontline forestry staff and safeguard the reserved and protected forests of the city.
The matter is scheduled for the next hearing in May.
