Delhi HC cautions on deforestation as city hits historic 52.3 deg Celsius

NEW DELHI: Taking note of the recent temperature spike to 52.3 degrees Celsius in the city, the Delhi High Court has observed that the national capital could become a barren desert if the present generation continues an apathetic view on deforestation.

Delhi’s Mungeshpur area on Wednesday logged a maximum temperature of 52.3 degrees Celsius, the highest ever recorded in the city.

“Judicial notice is taken of the fact that as recent as on May 30, the official temperature recorded in Delhi was 52.3 degrees Celsius. It is not far to see the day when this city may be only a barren desert, in case the present generation continues an apathetic view on deforestation,” Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said. The high court, which had earlier appointed its former judge Najmi Waziri as the chairperson of an internal departmental committee of city officials dealing with the protection of forests in Delhi, was informed that Waziri was unable to perform his duties due to a lack of infrastructure.

“This court cannot countenance a situation where the chairperson (Justice Waziri) is unable to discharge the responsibilities on account of lack of an office space or a secretarial and support staff or even transportation. “However, rather than directing the department (of Forest and Wildlife) to provide staff in a diverted capacity, it is considered appropriate to direct the department to pursue the matter in all earnest and in no case shall the approval be delayed beyond June 15,” the court said.

As per a report of the chairperson of the committee filed through advocate R Arunadhri Iyer, the Delhi government was informed of the requirement of infrastructure, along with secretarial support staff and transportation which would be required for the chairperson to efficiently discharge his responsibilities.

The chief conservator of forests reported submitting necessary approvals to the minister, Cabinet, and lieutenant governor. The amicus curiae stressed prompt provision of infrastructure after judicial orders.

The high court mandated completion of infrastructure within 15 days of approval, expecting full readiness before the July 29 hearing. Renaming the committee to ‘Special Empowered Committee’, it required officer attendance unless exceptional circumstances arise. The court’s measures aim to address worsening Delhi climatic conditions, following its December 21 order establishing the committee.