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Delhi Ridge Tree Removal Paused Amid High Court Scrutiny
Workers began removing an invasive tree called vilayati keekar from part of Delhi’s Central Ridge.
The government says it wants to replace these trees with native plants.
It says the work is part of an approved plan to restore the forest, not to build roads or a park.
A petitioner told the High Court that trees may have been felled and heavy machines used improperly.
The High Court asked senior forest and government officials to respond.
The work has reportedly been paused while the court examines the claims.
Government officials said some marks seen in photographs came from water tankers, not new clearing.
The restoration plan aims to plant more than one crore plants over four years.
The next hearing is scheduled for September 24.
Delhi’s Forest department began removing invasive vilayati keekar in the Central Ridge for indigenous plantation under the Delhi Eco-restoration Plan 2026-30.
The work was paused after the Delhi High Court sought responses over alleged violations of earlier directions protecting the Ridge.
Petitioner Sarvadaman Singh Oberoi alleged tree felling, heavy machinery use, burning, ring-barking and extensive clearing.
Officials said the project is ecological restoration, not construction or park creation, and has received approval from the environment ministry.
The plan targets more than one crore plants over four years, including 14 lakh plants during the current plantation season.
- Who
- The Delhi Forest department, petitioner Sarvadaman Singh Oberoi, and Delhi government and forest officials are involved.
- What
- Removal of invasive vilayati keekar and planned indigenous plantation in the Central Ridge have prompted contempt-of-court proceedings.
- Where
- The Central Ridge behind Buddha Jayanti Park near Dhaula Kuan in South Delhi.
- When
- The High Court sought responses on September 1; the next hearing is listed for September 24.
- Why
- The department says removal is needed to control invasive Prosopis juliflora and restore native vegetation; the petitioner alleges that the work breached court directions.
Court Petitioners’ Concerns
Forest Department’s Restoration Case
Whether the work breached court directions
Court Petitioners’ Concerns
Sarvadaman Singh Oberoi alleges that clearing, tree felling and use of heavy machinery violated earlier directions protecting the Central Ridge.
Forest Department’s Restoration Case
The Forest department says the activity is ecological restoration under an approved plan and does not involve construction, concretisation or creating a park.
Extent and nature of recent activity
Court Petitioners’ Concerns
The petitioner cited photographs allegedly showing a bulldozer, extensive clearing, felled trees, logs, pits, burning and ring-barking.
Forest Department’s Restoration Case
Officials said there had been no new activity after the pause and that tyre marks in September 3 photographs were from water tankers used for maintenance.
How invasive trees should be removed
Court Petitioners’ Concerns
The petition raises questions about the method and timing of removing vegetation in an ecologically sensitive protected forest.
Forest Department’s Restoration Case
Officials say heavily invaded patches may require removing vilayati keekar along with its root stock because pruning alone allows regeneration and seed production.
Key facts
- Location
- Central Ridge behind Buddha Jayanti Park, near Dhaula Kuan, South Delhi
- Invasive species
- Prosopis juliflora, commonly called vilayati keekar
- Restoration plan
- Delhi Eco-restoration Plan 2026-30, approved by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- Four-year target
- More than one crore plants
- Current plantation target
- 14 lakh plants, with September 30 set as the deadline
- Court status
- The High Court sought responses on September 1, and the work was said to be paused
- Earlier directions
- The High Court had directed against construction, concretisation, and further felling or shrub removal without permission
Sources
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