Supreme Court asserts on preservation of green cover while hearing case against WB Govt

In backdrop of rapid deforestation in country, Supreme Court on Tuesday emphasized on importance of green cover and said that it must be preserved.  remark by Supreme Court came while hearing a plea on cutting of trees in connection with construction of foot over bridge on India-Banglesh border by West Bengal state government. Apex Court observed that  green cover must be preserved but people were t willing to explore alternatives.

"re could be a way to create a path without cutting trees. It might be a little more expensive, but if you value property, it would be better," bench ded.

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court was hearing a plea filed by Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) on felling of over 350 trees for construction of railway over bridges (ROB) and widening of National Highway-112 from Barasat to Petrapole on Indo-Banglesh border in West Bengal.

During hearing, court observed rapid deforestation and raised an alarm that greenery might vanish if people don't start taking it seriously, "We would like to see if we can lay down some principles or some suggestions. deterioration is so rapid that before anybody kws many things will be permanently gone."

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Chief Justice also cited incidents of Metro car shed and proposed coastal ro in Mumbai which have been in news for allegedly causing environmental dam.

"dress us on what is to be done, this is 3rd-4th case I am hearing... Bombay metro shed, coastal ro etc," Chief Justice Bobde said.

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vocate Prashant Bhushan appearing for petitioner APDR said that  environment/climate may take a turn for very worse in ar 50 years to which Chief Justice agreed saying "It is very believable". Bhushan ded that human species will be in danger in next 10-20 years if  vegetation is t protected while alleging that permissions were granted to fell trees without exploring alternatives. Bhushan asserted that underpasses could be an alternative inste of railway over bridges and alignment of ros could be changed to avoid cutting of trees.

However, West Bengal government in its defence stated that Calcutta High Court h gone into all aspects after which it granted permission to fell 356 trees, which is required for construction of ROBs and widening of ro.

(With ANI inputs)

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