Stressing the necessity for establishing a forest in the national capital, the Delhi High Court declared the DDA’s proposal to construct an “ornamental park” rather than a dense forest on a parcel of land as unacceptable.
No to Ornamental Park, Yes to Forest
Justice Jasmeet Singh, who had previously asked the authority to provide details regarding a plot of land exceeding 55 acres earmarked for forest development, emphasized that every inch of the plot should constitute a properly dense forest, serving as the city’s “lungs”.
“It is for the lungs of Delhi. It is only to reduce pollution levels in Delhi … Delhi needs a forest. Delhi does not need an ornamental park. Delhi does not need a medicinal garden, clustered bamboo forest,” asserted the judge. The counsel for the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) assured the court that the intention is not to create an “ornamental” park but rather an urban forest encompassing three zones, including a 19-acre area abundant with dense flora and a “buffer” zone.
Forest Development
The court urged the DDA to contemplate whether the entire plot could be transformed into a dense forest, noting that the total area is insufficient for the authority’s proposed usage. The judge underscored the distinction between a “park with some trees” and a forest, stating, “This is not acceptable. I am of the view that the need of the people of Delhi is a forest and not an ornamental park.”
The court scheduled further proceedings for May 17 and directed the DDA to explore locating other “larger” patches of land for forest development.
“We don’t need a herbal forest. People of Delhi will give you blessings. Go find some land which is lying vacant,” remarked the court.
On April 1, while addressing a contempt case against the DDA concerning the felling of numerous trees in the southern Ridge area, the court instructed the authority to submit an affidavit regarding its forest development proposal and emphasized that the land should be “sustainable” for forest creation.
