The High Court on Friday heard a public interest litigation filed against the proposed felling of 2057 trees for the widening of Sahasradhara road. A division bench of Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice RC Khulbe, while lifting the ban on felling, directed the government to transplant the trees under the supervision of the Forest Research Institute (FRI). The court’s order has cleared the way for the widening of this important road.
This demand was made in the petition
Ashish Garg had said in his PIL that 2057 trees have to be cut for the proposed widening of Sahasradhara road from Dehradun Jogiwala to Khirsali Chowk. The Dehradun Valley and the city is already facing the brunt of climate change. Due to this the temperature is also increasing. On the one hand, Sahasradhara is known for its water streams and environment, on the other hand, such proposed cutting will devastate the entire ecology of Sahasradhara. To preserve its existence, the cutting of trees should be stopped.
This side placed by the government
The state through its Advocate General SN Babulkar submitted that ‘the State of Uttarakhand has forest land to the extent of 64% and forest cover to the extent of 45.74%. 86% of the land of the State is in hilly areas. Significant area is consumed by rivers, streams and lakes. Therefore, very limited plain areas are available with the State for the purpose of development.’ During the hearing, Chief Standing Counsel CS Rawat, appearing for the government, said that the eucalyptus trees to be removed have completed their age and are on the government’s land. The transplant that is being done in the state is getting 100% success. The respondents also cited that 128 trees were transplanted with a 100% success rate for the establishment of IIM Kashipur.
The court said that there is no denying the fact that the entire world is facing the threat of environmental and climatic change due to Global warming. This is happening due to rapid industrialization, cutting of forests, burning of fossil fuel, which is leading to carbon emissions in the environment. However, that cannot be cited as a general reason to stop all developmental activities.
After hearing both the sides, the court, removing the stay on the felling of trees, passed an order to the government to plant trees under the supervision of FRI. Now the next hearing in the case will be on February 22.
