'Can't cut trees in name of Lord Krishna, why can't road take turn?': SC On UP govt's plea

Supreme Court on Wednesday asked  Uttar Pradesh government to evaluate “timber value” of  2,940 trees that it wants to cut for Krishna-Govardhan road project at Mathura. top court has said that evaluation should be made by taking into account factors like ir “oxygen-producing capacity.” Moreover, Court said that felling of trees “in name of Lord Krishna” cant be allowed. state government and its authorities including Public Works Department have filed an application seeking d for felling of 2,940 trees for Krishna-Govardhan road project at Mathura. 

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A bench of Chief Justice SA Bobde and Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian ted in order that state government was t in a position to “to make a statement as to how Forest Department” intended to evaluate trees in question and granted four week time to authorities to inform it about method of evaluation it wanted to adopt. bench also said state government may also consider reduction in number of trees proposed to be fell for purposes of building road.

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When a lawyer for state PWD said that project also included widening of a road leading to temple at birthplace of Lord Krishna at Mathura. “You can't fell thousands of trees that too in name of Lord Krishna. Clearly y cant do so (evaluation) in terms of timber but must adopt a method of evaluation which takes into account oxygen-producing capacity of a particular tree over its remaining life span, assuming that it may be cut w,” bench said.

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apex court's d is needed if any activity, having a repercussion on flora and fauna of Taz trapezium zone, is proposed by government authorities and private parties. bench suggested that instead of cutting trees, roads may be built in a zig-zag manner which will reduce traffic speed and accidents as well. “Why cant road take a turn around tree. That will only mean that speed will be slow. If speed is slow, it will lower accidents and will be more safer, “ bench said. bench also said that it was t possible for it to accept compensation in merely arithmetical terms “particularly since re is statement forthcoming from State of Uttar Pradesh or PWD as to nature of trees that is to say wher y are classified as shrubs or large trees.” 

(with PTI inputs)

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