How many times was tree cutting allowed in past year? Delhi High Court asks forest department

The Delhi High Court recently directed the forest department of the Delhi government to file an affidavit disclosing the number of times it granted permission to cut trees in Delhi in the past year [Shyam Kishan Saraf Vs Forest Department (GNCTD) and Ors.].Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav was hearing a petition filed by one Shyam Kishan Saraf raising concerns that trees in Delhi were being cut indiscriminately without taking due permission from the forest department.Section 8 of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act of 1994 prohibits cutting trees in Delhi without taking prior permission from the forest department.The Court has now sought information on how many times trees were allowed to be cut in Delhi between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026. “Let the respondent-authority [forest department] to also place on record an affidavit as to how many permissions have been granted under Section 8 of the Delhi Preservations of Trees Act, 1994 between 01.04.2025 to 31.03.2026," states the April 8 order. .The Court has also sought a response to the larger concerns raised in Saraf’s petition from the forest department and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).Specifically, the Court has asked the forest department to state how it deals with concerns of illegal tree felling.“Let the respondent-authority [forest department] to specifically point out the manner in which the petitioner’s grievance is being looked into. The respondent-authority shall also indicate regarding availability of the mechanism to deal with similar grievances,” the Court directed..Saraf has sought the Court's intervention to ensure the preservation of trees at a locality in Delhi. He moved the Court citing inaction by the forest department in the matter. The matter will be heard next on May 12..Advocates Zain Haider and Mohammad Tanvir Ali appeared for Saraf, who also appeared in person. Panel Counsel (Civil) Vaishali Gupta and advocate Kartik Sharma appeared for the Delhi government.Standing Counsel Sanjay Vashishtha and advocate Siddhartha Goswami appeared for the MCD..[Read order]