Fact-finding committee to visit Satbari, Chhattarpur tomorrow where around 1100 trees have been illegally cut by DDA

The Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday alleged that Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena "flouted" all the rules and ordered the cutting of thousands of trees in an eco-sensitive zone of the Ridge area in the national capital.

"Fact Finding Committee will visit the site at SAARC Chowk, Satbari Chhattarpur tomorrow around 11:30 am where around 1100 trees have been illegally cut by DDA. It has been alleged that in the name of road widening, trees have been illegally cut in the eco-sensitive zone of Ridge," Saurabh Bharadwaj posted on X.

AAP National Spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar further alleged that due to the "poor policies" of the BJP regarding the environment, the country has fallen to 180th rank out of 180 countries on the Environment Performance Index.

This comes amid reports of illegal cutting of trees by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in Southern Ridge.

Speaking to ANI, Priyanka Kakkar said, "While the AAP is trying to increase the green cover in Delhi, BJP's LG by flouting all the rules, gave the order to cut thousands of trees in an eco-sensitive zone. BJP tried to spread disinformation that trees were cut as per the order of Arvind Kejriwal."

"If there is any such document with them, why didn't they submit it to the Supreme Court? BJP must stop lying to the Supreme Court. They should stop misleading people and give answers," he added.

In the wake of the illegal cutting of 1100 trees in Delhi's Southern Ridge, a three-member Fact Finding Committee was constituted comprising of Cabinet Ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi, and Imran Hussain.

During the meeting held on June 26 with the officers of the Forest Department, the Environment and Forest Minister was briefed that violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and violation of Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994 that had taken place by way of illegal cutting of trees by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in Southern Ridge, an official release stated.

The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Delhi government to file an affidavit in the matter. The committee has to submit the factual report to the court by July 11.

The next date of hearing in the Apex court is on July 12.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai had asked for a report from the Forest Department but the officials have gone on medical leave, after which a fact-finding committee was constituted. (ANI)