Supreme Court Approves Removal of Over 13,000 Trees from Delhi Central Ridge The Supreme Court has given its green light to remove invasive tree species like Vilayati Kikar and Eucalyptus from Delhi Central Ridge. Around 13,000 trees will be cleared to make way for native plant species under a systematic ecological restoration plan. A major initiative to restore the environment and expand the green cover of the national capital is underway. The Supreme Court has officially permitted the phased removal of invasive tree species from Delhi Central Ridge. Under this comprehensive forest restoration project, nearly 13,000 trees are slated for removal. While cutting down trees in the name of environmental conservation may sound contradictory, the decision is backed by vital ecological science. The core issue revolves around aggressive foreign species such as Vilayati Kikar, babul, and Eucalyptus, which pose a severe threat to the local ecosystem and groundwater levels. Plan to Eradicate Invasive Species According to the blueprint laid out by the Delhi Forest Department, a total of 22,188 invasive trees are scheduled to be cleared across approximately 191 hectares of the Central Ridge. These problem species primarily include Vilayati Kikar, babul, and Eucalyptus. Out of this total, roughly 9,000 trees have already been cleared, leaving about 13,161 trees across a 70-hectare area to be removed. The primary goal of eradicating these foreign varieties is to replace them with indigenous and native tree species such as neem, banyan, peepal, jamun, and amaltas. The overarching plan aims to plant nearly 7.29 लाख trees and shrubs to revitalize the capital's primary green lung. Massive Reforestation and Planting Efforts Data presented by the Forest Department in court reveals that approximately 5.31 लाख trees and shrubs have already been successfully planted across a 120-hectare area. This count includes roughly 2.23 लाख trees and 3.07 लाख shrubs. Department officials emphasized that unless these aggressive, water-depleting foreign species are cleared first, the newly planted native saplings will struggle to survive. This crucial reasoning formed the basis for seeking judicial permission to continue the tree-removal and replanting drive in the remaining sectors of the ridge. Supreme Court Approval and Directives A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant approved the Delhi Ridge forest restoration campaign. The court mandated that the elimination of invasive species must go hand in hand with large-scale plantation of native flora. According to the court's directives, all operations must strictly adhere to the Delhi Eco-Restoration Plan 2026-30. This blueprint was originally formulated by the Forest Research Institute based in Dehradun. Furthermore, the entire process will remain under the strict supervision of the Ridge Management Board, and the Forest Department is required to submit an interim compliance report upon completion. Observations Made During Court Proceedings During the hearings, Chief Justice Surya Kant praised the initiative while cautioning that the efforts must yield visible results on the ground rather than remaining confined to paperwork. He highlighted that species like Eucalyptus and Vilayati Kikar adversely affect groundwater tables and soil fertility. The bench noted that many farmers previously planted Eucalyptus without realizing its long-term ecological damage, though they are now finding better alternatives like poplar. The court reiterated that clearing invasive trees is often a necessary prerequisite for successfully nurturing native vegetation. Legal Objections and Petitions The restoration process had previously faced legal hurdles and objections in the Delhi High Court. A contempt petition was filed by Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Sarvadaman Singh Oberoi, managing trustee of the Aravalli Bachao Citizens Movement. The petition alleged violations of existing judicial orders concerning construction, clearing, excavation, and tree removal within the Central Ridge. On August 20, the Delhi High Court had issued strict directions halting any construction, cleaning, or excavation activities in the area. During the Supreme Court proceedings, Senior Advocate Shoaib Alam clarified that they held no objection to planting new trees, but expressed genuine concern regarding the methods used to remove older trees and the potential soil erosion caused to topsoil. Expert Monitoring and Seasonal Constraints Appearing for the Forest Department, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the bench that the tree clearing and plantation activities were proceeding strictly in accordance with the approved plan. She argued that the monsoon season concludes in September, and planting trees after September would fail to yield the desired survival rates. She reiterated that following the removal of the initial 9,000 invasive trees, a massive volume of native flora was successfully planted in those zones. Clearing the remaining aggressive trees is now essential to facilitate the subsequent phases of plantation. The Supreme Court has instructed the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun to form a dedicated team of experts to oversee the entire implementation. What this means for you The decision to clear invasive trees from Delhi Central Ridge and replace them with native species will have a significant impact on local ecology and urban environmental management. • Across India: This initiative serves as a guiding precedent for urban forestry restoration and the systematic eradication of invasive plant species in other metropolitan areas. It highlights the growing judicial focus on scientific ecological management in urban centers. • In Delhi: Local residents and environmental stakeholders will benefit from improved long-term air quality, enhanced groundwater recharge, and a richer biodiversity. However, nearby communities may experience temporary management changes or oversight during the phased clearing operations. Why this happened The comprehensive campaign to clear invasive trees and reintroduce native flora in the Central Ridge stems from severe ecological degradation caused by aggressive foreign plant species. • Impact of Invasive Species: Species like Vilayati Kikar and Eucalyptus rapidly deplete groundwater reserves and degrade topsoil quality, suffocating the growth of indigenous plant life. • Need for Ecological Balance: Under the Delhi Eco-Restoration Plan 2026-30, removing these detrimental trees is deemed a mandatory scientific prerequisite for successfully re-establishing native forests. • Expert Oversight: Formulated by the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun, the project ensures that the restoration is carried out through structured, transparent, and scientifically monitored procedures rather than ad-hoc clearing. Questions & Answers 1. How many trees are scheduled to be removed from the Central Ridge? A total of 22,188 invasive trees are slated for removal, with approximately 9,000 already cleared and around 13,161 remaining to be removed. 2. What was the Supreme Court's ruling on this restoration plan? The Supreme Court gave its approval to the Delhi Forest Department's forest restoration campaign, mandating strict adherence to the planned framework. 3. Which invasive tree species are being targeted for removal? The targeted invasive species primarily include Vilayati Kikar, babul, and Eucalyptus. 4. What native plant species will replace the removed trees? They are being replaced by indigenous tree varieties such as neem, banyan, peepal, jamun, and amaltas. 5. Who will monitor the implementation of this restoration project? The entire project will be supervised by the Ridge Management Board along with a specialized team of experts from the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun. https://trendkia.com/en/delhi/delhi-ke-sentrala-rija-se-hatae-jaenge-13-hajara-se-adhika-pera-suprima-korta-ne-di-mnjuri-33025 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.