North India Statesman
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The Supreme Court on Tuesday, taking a tough stand against those who damaged the environment, said that no kindness would be shown on the illegal tree cutting. The court ordered that every illegally cut tree would be fined Rs 1 lakh.
Picking trees is serious due to human killing: Supreme Court
Justice Abhay S. A bench of Oka and Ujjal Bhuiyan commented that cutting trees illegally is a serious crime than human killing, as the reconstruction of these trees may take at least 100 years. The court gave this strict order in the case of illegal harvesting of 454 trees by Shankar Aggarwal.
Court’s strictness regarding tree protection
Senior Advocate ADN Rao presented in the court as ‘Amicus Curie’ and argued that a clear and strict message should be given in cases of illegal tree harvesting. Accepting the argument, the court ordered that illegal harvesters would be fined so that such incidents can be stopped in future.
Heavy fined for illegal harvesting of 454 trees
The Supreme Court accepted the Central Strong Committee (CEC) report, which suggested a fine of Rs 1 lakh per tree for illegal harvesting of 454 trees on Shankar Aggarwal.
CEC report main points:
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On the night of 18 September, 454 trees were illegally cut.
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Of these, 422 trees were on private land ‘Dalmia Farm’.
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32 trees were cut in the protected forest area.
Court rejected apology appeal
Shankar Aggarwal’s lawyer, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appealed to the court to reduce the fine and said that his client accepts his mistake and apologizes. He also proposed that Agarwal planted new trees in exchange for cut trees.
However, the Supreme Court refused to reduce the fine, but Agarwal allowed plantation.
Order for legal action against Aggarwal
The CEC report revealed that Aggarwal cut trees not only on private land, but also in the protected forest area. The Supreme Court reacted strictly on this and:
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Ording to start contempt proceedings against Aggarwal.
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Directed the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department to take strict punitive action under the ‘Uttar Pradesh Trees Protection Act, 1976’ and ‘Indian Forest Act, 1972’.
Supreme Court message on environmental protection
This decision of the Supreme Court is a strict warning for the government and citizens that environment will not be tolerated. The court clarified that there is a need to take drastic steps to protect natural resources and biodiversity, so that the coming generations can enjoy the lush green environment.
