The National Green Tribunal on Wednesday deferred proceedings of a petition seeking a stay on the proposed felling of 16,500 trees in seven south Delhi colonies. The tribunal said it would look into the matter once the Delhi High Court decides on it, PTI reported.

A bench comprising tribunal Chairperson Justice AK Goel, and Justices Jawad Rahim and SP Wangdi said the High Court was already considering the matter and parallel proceedings should be avoided. “The order of Delhi High Court dated July 4, proceeded on the same issue... simultaneous consideration of same issue at different legal fora is not appropriate,” the tribunal added.

On July 2, the green tribunal ordered that no trees should be cut down for the development of colonies in South Delhi till July 19. Two days later, the Delhi High Court banned the felling of trees in the city till further orders.

The government had wanted to cut down the trees in order to redevelop seven colonies – Sarojini Nagar, Nauroji Nagar, Netaji Nagar, Thyagraj Nagar, Mohammadpur and Kasturba Nagar and Srinivaspuri – in South Delhi.