The
Supreme Court on Friday indicated that expanding green cover could play a
meaningful role in improving air quality across the Delhi National Capital
Region (NCR).
The
remarks were made during proceedings concerning the formation of an expert
panel tasked with supervising an afforestation drive intended to offset tree
loss in Delhi’s ridge areas.
Senior
Advocate Guru Krishna Kumar, appearing as amicus curiae (friend of the court),
mentioned the issue before a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, seeking substitution
of a committee member. He informed the Court that one of the existing members,
Ishwar Singh, had recently been appointed to the National Green Tribunal and
would need to be replaced.
Kumar
proposed two alternative names, following which the Bench selected M D Sinha, a
retired Indian Forest Service officer, to join the panel.
Kumar
further drew attention to earlier directions issued by a Bench led by Justice A
S Oka (since retired) aimed at enhancing Delhi’s green cover, and suggested
that the present committee also oversee implementation of those measures.
The
Chief Justice agreed to list the related matter, observing that the issue bore
relevance to the region’s air quality.
Noting
the link between environmental restoration and pollution control, the Chief
Justice remarked that augmenting green cover is among the most sustainable and
long-term measures available to improve the Air Quality Index in the capital.