In Brief
The Supreme Court disposed of contempt proceedings against the Delhi Development Authority for unauthorised felling of approximately 1,670 trees in the Delhi Ridge to construct approach roads to CAPFIMS and other institutions. Although the DDA officials violated court orders and deliberately concealed tree felling activities from the Court, the bench found the underlying objective—facilitating access to a critical medical facility serving paramilitary personnel—served genuine public interest. Rather than impose punitive action, the Court mandated comprehensive ecological restoration: supervised afforestation over 185 acres with bi-annual monitoring, completion of roads with tree coverage, environmental fees on erring officials, and a recovery levy on private beneficiaries. The judgment balanced urgent development needs with environmental protection of the Delhi Ridge, described as the "lungs of the city."
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