Supreme Court moots agency to increase green cover in Delhi

The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up the Delhi Forest department for failing to apprise the Court regarding measures to be taken to enhance the green cover in the national capital [MC Mehta v. Union of India]..A Division Bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih said it would appoint an external agency for proposing to measures required to enhance the national capital's green cover.In June, the Court had directed the Secretary to convene a meeting to discuss the comprehensive measures need to be taken to enhance the green cover of the National Capital Territory (NCT)of Delhi.After the Court was informed that no report has been filed by the Delhi government in this regard, it passed the following order,"No satisfactory measure is taken ... what this court expected. We therefore propose to appoint an agency which could propose steps towards enhancing of green cover in Delhi. We request the amicus to propose name of agency for the same."The matter will taken up for hearing next on December 18..In June, the Court had directed the Principal Secretary of the Forest Department to convene a meeting with the 3-member committee appointed with regard to steps taken to ensure green cover in Delhi.The order was passed in the MC Mehta case after hearing a contempt of court petition alleging that hundreds of trees were cut by Delhi Development Authority (DDA) without Court's permission, on instructions of the Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena..When the matter related to the issue of green cover was taken up today, the Court at the outset asked,"What is final solution suggested for enhancing green cover? We had told in June to the Principal Secretary to take enhancive steps.".In response, the Court was told that the Committee had met only recently and its report was not on record. The Bench then directly questioned the Secretary, who was present in the hearing through video conferencing."In June, we have directed you to convene the meeting for the purpose of enhancing green cover in Delhi. What have you done?"The Secretary said that meetings were convened and suggestions, after consulting the amicus and other authorities, have been submitted.The Court questioned the delay in preparation of the report, saying,"That means after October, when your last meeting happened, you don't want to do anything?.".Calling it a careless approach, the Court said it would appoint an external agency for assistance on the issue."Which external agency can be appointed? Because Chief Secretary is very clear that whatever they have done till October, that is it. They won't do anything. That is a very careless approach," Justice Oka said.When Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati said that a report will be filed, the Court said,"No No. Tell us the agency which can take steps".Senior Advocate ADN Rao, who is an amicus curiae in the case, suggested that Forest Survey of India (FSI) can be given the task. However, the Court granted him time to think over it."Do suggest us in next hearing," Justice Oka said while adjourning the matter..Just before rising today, the Court expressed concern over the prevailing situation in Delhi. "There has to be done something about the situation of capital," Justice Oka said.Senior Advocate Guru Krishnakumar, amicus curiae in the case, highlighted the growing trend of multiple vehicles being owned within the same household in Delhi"In Delhi, the system has become that each house has at least 6 cars in their home. There has to be some amendments in the Motor Vehicles Act or slightly higher imposition of tax to stop this," he said.At this, Justice Oka said,"Take any city, Bombay or Delhi, now today the prices of newly constructed apartments are so high that those who have 6 cars can only buy it."A counsel then suggested that more electric vehicle (EV) can be used."All government or public sector vehicles can be atleast EV. Something has to be done," Justice Oka said in agreement.