Consider replacing of older trees with newer younger ones: HC

The Delhi High Court today asked the AAP government to look into the policy of replenishing the green cover in the national capital by replacing the older trees by new ones.
A bench comprising justices B D Ahmed and Sanjeev Sachdeva directed that a policy should be put in place to replace the older trees.
"Trees are the lungs of Delhi. Older trees which form part of green cover, after a period generates more carbon dioxide than the oxygen.
"Planning with regard to replenishing the green cover in a planned and phased manner needs to be done so that the older trees are phased out naturally and new trees replaces them. We direct Delhi government to work for plantation of newer trees," the bench said.

The court's direction came after forest department officials informed it that there is no policy of replacing older trees with younger ones and it is difficult to carry out replacement in the populated areas.
The court was also informed by forest officials that the total forest cover in Delhi was 189 square kilometres while the total tree cover has decreased from 117 sq kms to 111 sq kms.

The bench asked why those in government were not analysing such data and taking remedial steps. "It is not our job. What are the bureaucrats doing? Why do they not analyse the data and take remedial steps," the bench said.

It asked a the nodal officer of the forest department to ensure compliance of court's direction and file a status report on the next date of hearing on March 10.
The court was hearing a PIL initiated by it on its own on the issue of air pollution in the national capital.