Kota : Rajasthan High Court took on record the assurance of the Center and the State not to cut 1.19 lakh trees for pump storage of power project in Shahabad in Baran district for the next fifteen days and directed that it will remain effective till further orders. . The division bench of Justice Dr. Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Munnuri Laxman, taking suo motu cognizance of the news published in Rajasthan Patrika regarding the project posing a threat to the forest wealth, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Principal Secretary of the State Environment Department and the Forest Department A notice has been issued to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and a reply has been sought.
The division bench expressed concern on the basis of facts highlighted in the magazine reports and said – ‘It is feared that this project will affect the forest area and full-grown trees on a large scale, which may disturb the environmental balance and threaten the existence of wildlife. Could.’
Advocate Sandeep Shah appointed as amicus curiae
Considering the seriousness of the case, the court has appointed senior advocate Sandeep Shah as amicus curiae, while advocates Lakshya Singh Udawat and Mehli Mehta have been appointed to assist him. Along with this, the division bench has directed the Central and State governments to file detailed replies on the matter, suggesting how 1.19 lakh trees can be saved and whether there is any alternative land available where the project could be undertaken. And can reforestation be done in the same area, so that any imbalance in carbon dioxide absorption can be avoided?
no immediate danger
During the hearing, the Deputy Solicitor General and Additional Advocate General said that at present there is no immediate threat of felling of trees for at least the next fifteen days, as phase one approval for the project has not yet been received from the state. The court has taken the assurance on record, directing the matter to be listed as a PIL within the next 10 days.
clean environment right to life
The Division Bench took cognizance that the right to a green and healthy environment is considered an aspect of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which casts the responsibility on the State and its authorities not only to protect the environment from any potential danger Be saved from. Efforts should be made to take active steps to conserve, protect and revive it, so as to ensure a truly meaningful life for the citizens.
