The implementation of replanting trees cut down for major infrastructure projects in Maharashtra is moving at a slow pace. Expressing strong displeasure, the Supreme Court on Monday warned the Maharashtra government over the issue.
The court cautioned that all prior permissions granted for cutting trees for projects such as the Mumbai Metro Rail and the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road could be withdrawn if the state fails to act promptly.
The Supreme Court directed the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra to hold a meeting with all concerned authorities and submit a concrete plan outlining the steps being taken for tree plantation.
A bench of Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran instructed the state’s top officials to file an affidavit before November 11.
The bench expressed its dissatisfaction upon learning that adequate attention had not been given to tree plantation in Mumbai. The court emphasised that while the country’s development is important, maintaining environmental balance in metros like Mumbai is equally essential.
Following this, the state’s counsel and officials requested time until November 11 to submit a revised affidavit.
The Supreme Court bench was hearing a new petition filed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) seeking permission to cut trees for the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road project, subject to compensatory plantation. On August 14, the court had granted BMC permission to cut 95 trees for the project.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi informed the court that over 1,000 trees would need to be removed for the project with 632 trees to be transplanted and 407 trees to be permanently cut. Appearing for environmental activists, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan argued that the compensatory plantation was merely a formality, only small saplings about a foot tall were being planted, and most dried up within six months due to poor maintenance.
He further noted that the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) had begun plantation work using forest land from the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and had handed over the responsibility to SGNP officials.
Chief Justice Gavai remarked that even if non-forest land was chosen for compensatory plantation, it would not be an issue, but expressed displeasure that MMRCL had delegated the entire work to SGNP instead of handling it themselves. Currently, the BMC has not yet received permission to cut trees for the Goregaon-Mulund project. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for November 11.
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