SC stays NGT order on planting 10 trees before cutting one in state

The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the National Green Tribunal's direction for planting 10 trees before cutting one tree in forest area as well as private land in the state.

A bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan issued notice to Cauvery Sene, Madikeri, on a special leave petition filed by Karnataka, challenging the green panel's order issued on March 14, 2017.  

Senior advocate Basava Prabhu Patil, appearing for the state, submitted that the order was passed against the statute.  

The court initially said that there was a huge delay in the filing of the petition by the state government. But it finally admitted the petition for consideration after the counsel said that the order was coming in the way of the government in implementing development projects and there was practical difficulty as well in complying with the directions. He pointed out that a review plea was filed by the state before the green panel and that too stood dismissed.

The principal bench of the panel headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar directed that all persons felling or cutting trees in forest area or even on private land are prohibited from cutting the trees unless and until they plant 10 trees for each tree cut or felled and/or proposed to be felled or cut.

Further those cutting or proposing to cut trees were directed to deposit sufficient money with the forest department to ensure that the trees are duly cared for and due protection is provided to them at least for a period of five years from the day of planting.