Benefit would be immeasurable: Delhi to get 10,000 more trees through fines imposed by Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has directed authorities to use the costs imposed by it in “scores” of contempt and other cases to plant 10,000 trees in the capital for the “larger public good” [New India Assurance Co Ltd v. Himanshu Sharma & Ors]. .Justice Najmi Waziri recently underlined that about ₹80 lakh in costs imposed on defaulting litigants had been deposited with the Court.“These monies are to be utilised for larger public good. Plantation of trees is one such exercise which the court would consider because trees, for as long as they are alive, be it for decades or for centuries, would incessantly and silently provide multiple benefits to the city; provided however, that people and the landowning agencies do not interfere in or hinder their growth,” the order stated..The Court further highlighted that such plantation would be beneficial for future generations of Delhi residents.“They would also serve as carbon sump, to absorb in some measure, the atmospheric pollution which plagues the city all year round. Additionally, they would lend beauty and grace of the city and provide a soothing ambience to every passerby,” it added..It came to the Court’s notice that subsequent to its order passed on May 24, over ₹70 lakh had already been transferred to the bank account of the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) of the Delhi government. .The money would now be used to plant trees with the assistance of different government agencies including the DCF and the Public Works Department (PWD), in areas identified by the lawyers appearing for the respective parties and those assisting the Court. “They shall each have at least 2,500 trees planted. They are hereby appointed as Court Commissioners. Assistance apropos their transportation, etc., shall be arranged by the PWD/Forest Department, GNCTD. The local police shall assist the DCF as well as the court commissioners in the plantation exercise.".The forest department would also have to take into consideration the “soil type and topography” while planting varieties like Pilkhan, Papdi, Kachnaar, Goolar, Kala Siris/Safed Siris, Jamun, Amaltas, Kadamb and Badh. “Each tree shall have a minimum of three-years’ nursery-age and a minimum trunk height of 10 feet. From the ₹70 lakh at least 10,000 trees shall be planted. Let it be so done,” the authorities were directed. A compliance affidavit, along with photographs showing the plantation sites before and after plantation, and tree-guards or fences, will have to be filed by the DCF and the court commissioners. The order underlined that community participation in the plantation and maintenance of the trees, to the extent plausible, should be encouraged. .The authorities will also have to install signboards at prominent junctions to display that the plantations were carried out on the directions of the Delhi High Court. “In case of any attrition of the trees or any damage to them, the land-owning agency shall promptly remedy the situation with the advice of the Tree Officer and keep the learned court commissioners informed with photographs,” the Court said..How a Delhi High Court judge has been renewing capital's green cover one order at a time.[Read Order]