In New Delhi, a complaint has been filed against the Public Works Department (PWD) for allegedly cutting down over 20 trees in Shalimar Bagh without proper authorization. Advocate Amber Shehbaz Ansari alleges that the PWD violated the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act (DPTA), 1994, which mandates obtaining permission from a tree officer before felling trees. The PWD claims that their actions comply with standard operating procedures, citing section 8 of the DPTA, which allows tree removal in emergencies. However, Ansari argues that this section was misused, as the trees were healthy and posed no immediate danger. The forest department has launched an enquiry into the matter and has issued a restraining order to halt further tree cutting. Environmental concerns have been raised regarding the loss of green cover, increased air pollution, and damage to local biodiversity due to the indiscriminate tree felling. This incident follows a government directive for a survey and removal of potentially dangerous trees along the PWD's extensive road network, but officials clarified that permission from the forest department is still required for large-scale removals.