Need To Protect Green Cover:
The Delhi High Court vide its Order of 14 June has stayed the felling of trees for construction work on the land comprising a green plot of Sec A Pkts B & C, Vasant Kunj, stressing on the need
to protect green cover. Felling of trees should be the last resort in a city gasping for breath, the Court observed and stayed the clearing of the green patch of land in Vasant Kunj for a construction project. The vacation bench of Justice Jasmeet Singh, while putting a temporary hold on the project, observed that the land in question had virtually become a bio-diversity park with beautiful trees and wildlife. If any alternative site is available for the complex, it must be looked into, the Judge said and added, “Till the next date of hearing, the respondents are restrained from clearing of land and felling of trees on the plot comprising Sector A Pockets B & C, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi”. “In a city gasping for breath, I am of the view that felling of trees should be the last resort. In case any other alternative site is available, the same must be looked at,” it said. The petitioner, the Residents Welfare Associations of Sector A, Pockets B & C Vasant Kunj, had moved the Delhi High Court and sought directions to private builders as well as the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) not to go ahead with the construction, as it will require felling trees. It also prayed for shifting the project to another place. While issuing the notice to the builders and DDA, the Court listed the matter for the next hearing on July 3. The above developments were happy news for the residents of Sector A, Pockets B & C, Vasant Kunj who were at the forefront of the protests since the last three years. The Vasant Kunj Residents community known for its commitment to environmental conservation and protection, had been regularly urging the authorities to take action to protect the trees and the environment in this particular green patch of their Colony. “Now, since our Green Wealth was being destroyed on a widespread scale, we had to protect it and our struggle will continue.” …. is the common refrain of the Vasant Kunj residents. The Constitution of India, which is the supreme law of the land, has imposed an obligation to protect the natural environment- both on the State as well as the Citizens of India. Part IV of the Constitution called the Directive Principles of State Policy has imposed certain fundamental duties on the State to protect the environment. Part IV A of the Constitution has imposed a fundamental duty on every citizen of India “to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures”. Connecting human rights and environment is a valuable sourcebook that explores the uncharted territory that lies between environmental and human rights. Human beings can ensure fundamental equality and adequate conditions of life in an environment that permits a life of dignity and well-being. It must be understood that those who pollute or destroy the natural environment are not just committing a crime against nature, but are violating human rights as well. The advancement of the relationship between human rights and environment is interdependent.
