February 23, 2026 : The National Green Tribunal has directed authorities in Delhi to identify those responsible for the alleged illegal felling of trees in the Vikas Puri area and to ensure compensatory plantation, while disposing of a petition that raised concerns over the cutting of mature trees. The order came in Original Application No. 601/2025 filed by Delhi resident Dev Karan against the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and other authorities.
The case began after the tribunal registered a letter petition submitted by Dev Karan, who alleged that three fully grown trees a Peepal, a Banyan and a Shisham had been illegally cut and uprooted from a vacant plot in G-Block, Vikas Puri in West Delhi. According to the complaint, the trees were removed during construction activities in violation of environmental norms and protections for trees.
During the proceedings, the Deputy Conservator of Forest for the West Forest Division of the Delhi Forest and Wildlife Department filed a compliance report before the tribunal. The report stated that authorities had already initiated action after inspecting the site. Officials found that construction work was ongoing at the property and confirmed that two trees had been felled there. Following the inspection, the Deputy Conservator of Forest issued a restraining order on January 27, 2026, directing the plot owner to stop all construction activities until further orders and warning that no additional trees should be harmed.
Forest officials also reported that an earlier inspection conducted on July 7, 2025, following a complaint received through the green helpline portal, had recorded the felling of two trees at the site. At that time, the officials were unable to identify the owner of the property. Subsequent action included registering an offence against the owner of the plot under the provisions of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994 and issuing a notice requiring the owner to appear before the Tree Officer.
After reviewing the compliance report, the tribunal bench headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr. Afroz Ahmad said that if illegal felling of trees had taken place, authorities must follow the full procedure laid down under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act. The tribunal directed the Deputy Conservator of Forest to identify the persons responsible for the illegal cutting and to take appropriate legal action. It also ordered authorities to ensure compensatory plantation in accordance with the law and to monitor the survival of the planted trees for at least five years.
The tribunal disposed of the case with instructions that the entire exercise, including identification of the responsible persons and implementation of compensatory plantation, must be completed within three months from the receipt of the order.
Case Reference : Original Application No. 601/2025, Dev Karan vs. Govt. of NCT of Delhi & Ors.; Counsels for Respondents: Mr. Balendu Shekhar and Ms. Tanisha Samanta, Advocates for DPCC (through VC), and Ms. Jyoti Mendiratta with Ms. Ananya Basudha, Advocates for Respondent No. 1 (through VC).
