The Supreme Court of India has reinforced the necessity of increasing the green cover in Delhi, targeting a minimum of 33% tree and forest coverage. The directive aligns with recommendations from the Forest Research Institute (FRI) and aims to combat the adverse effects of environmental degradation in the National Capital Territory (NCT).
A bench comprising Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan was hearing the MC Mehta case regarding Delhi's green cover expansion. The court took note of paragraph 3 of the Forest Research Institute’s report, which emphasized achieving at least 33% green cover.
“Endeavour should be to achieve a target of 33% or even more than that of tree/forest cover,” the Court observed.
Recognizing the urgency of afforestation, the Court has been actively monitoring efforts to increase tree cover in the region. In December last year, it imposed strict restrictions on tree felling and appointed FRI to conduct a tree census in Delhi. Subsequently, FRI was also tasked with preparing an action plan to enhance the city's green cover.
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On March 26, the Supreme Court reviewed FRI’s reports detailing the proposed timelines and budgetary requirements for the tree census and afforestation action plan. The Court directed the Delhi government to promptly release the first installment of payments once revised estimates are submitted to ensure no delays.
FRI outlined a phased approach to the action plan:
Phase I – Planning and strategy development (12 months from fund release)
Phase II & III – Execution and monitoring (timelines under review)
Additionally, the Court reviewed the governance structure suggested by FRI, which proposed an 18-member High-Level Steering Committee (HLSC). However, the Court recommended reducing the committee to a maximum of five members for efficiency.
“FRI can always invite relevant entities to assist in meetings when required,” the Court clarified.
To streamline efforts, the Court also directed that the green cover action plan should integrate provisions from Delhi’s first working plan for forest management, which spans ten years. This prevents duplication and ensures effective execution. The FRI is required to file an affidavit on this by June 2025.
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A critical aspect of the Supreme Court's directive is the tree census in Delhi. Justice Oka highlighted ambiguities in the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, and endorsed FRI’s recommendation to use the Forest Survey of India's (FSI) tree definition for consistency.
Court’s Directives on Tree Census Execution
- Expedite Phase I, which involves methodology standardization, as the proposed 15-month duration was deemed excessive.
- Reevaluate the 24-month timeline for Phase III to ensure efficiency.
- Reduce the 23-member High-Power Committee to a smaller, more manageable team.
- Seek assistance from central agencies such as the National Informatics Centre (NIC) for mobile app and database development to optimize costs.
- Submit a revised budget estimate within one month.
“Government must not delay fund disbursal for the first installment,” the Court reiterated, ensuring timely execution of the tree census.
Additionally, the Court upheld its December 19, 2024 order permitting the use of Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds for the tree census.
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Background and Previous Court Directions
The Supreme Court has been closely monitoring afforestation efforts in Delhi. In June 2024, it highlighted the role of declining green cover in exacerbating extreme heatwave conditions and directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and Delhi Government to restore lost greenery.
On December 9, 2024, the Court expressed dissatisfaction with the Delhi Forest Department’s sluggish progress and appointed an external agency to oversee afforestation efforts. Later, on December 19, 2024, it imposed stringent restrictions on tree felling and mandated that approvals for felling 50 or more trees require clearance from the Central Empowered Committee (CEC).
“Permissions should be granted only in exceptional cases; the primary objective of the Act is tree preservation,” the Court asserted.
In February 2025, the Court officially designated FRI as the agency responsible for devising the afforestation action plan. It mandated the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) tools for assessment and instructed FRI to coordinate with the Delhi Forest Department and other relevant bodies.
Additionally, as per the December 2024 order, the Court allowed FRI to collaborate with Geo-Spatial Delhi Limited (GSDL) for tree census activities. The Court now seeks an affidavit from FRI outlining the methodology, timeline, and project progress.
Case no. – WP (C) No. 4677/1985
Case Title – MC Mehta v. Union of India and Ors.
