Delhi High Court warns deforestation could turn city into barren desert amid record 52.3C temperature

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court recently took judicial notice that the city recorded a temperature of 52.3 degrees Celsius and expressed concern that if the current generation neglects deforestation, the city may eventually become a barren desert.

"Judicial notice is taken of the fact that as recently as May 30, 2024, 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 the deforestation," Justice Gedela said in the order passed on May 31.

Justice Tushar Rao Gedela made the observation while dealing with a batch of petitions seeking directions on the protection of deemed forests in Delhi.

Though Delhis Mungeshpur weather station recorded a maximum temperature of 52.9 degrees Celsius on May 29, it was on account of the malfunctioning of the sensor, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) later clarified.

In April, a committee, namely the Internal Department Committee, was constituted for the protection and management of deemed forests in Delhi, and Justice (Retd.) Najmi Waziri was appointed as chairperson by the High Court.

During the hearing, Advocate Gautam Narayan, Amicus Curiae, submitted that once this Court had passed an order, the infrastructure and other facilities required for the efficient administration and discharge of the responsibilities upon the learned chairperson have to be complied with at the earliest and not entangled with red tape.

The court agreed with the submissions made by the Amicus Curiae and said it cannot countenance a situation where the learned Chairperson is unable to discharge the responsibilities on account of the lack of office space, secretarial and support staff, or even transportation.

"However, rather than directing the Department 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, 2024," the High Court said.