Sustainable development important but forests can't be destroyed by bulldozers overnight: SC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday emphasised that sustainable development is important, but that does not mean that forests can be destroyed overnight with bulldozers.

"I am myself an advocate for sustainable development, but that doesn't mean that overnight you should employ 30 bulldozers and clear all the jungle,” Chief Justice of India B R Gavai said, presiding over a three-judge bench.

The court was hearing a suo moto matter related to the felling of trees at forest area in Kancha Gachibowli in Telangana.

It was alleged approximately 400 acres of green cover in the Kancha Gachibowli forest area were felled overnight by the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC) for the development of information technology infrastructure.

Emphasising that sustainable development is important, the court cautioned against the use of bulldozers to clear forests.

The bench, also comprising Justices K Vinod Chandran and Joymalya Bagchi, decided to consider the matter on August 13 as senior advocate K Parmeshwar, appearing as amicus curiae, submitted some intervenors sought to file a response to the state government's affidavit on the issue.

The court, which took up the matter suo motu, had earlier directed the Wildlife warden of Telangana to take immediate steps to protect the wildlife affected on account of deforestation in 100 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli. It had made it clear that not even a single tree should be fell in the area.

"Until further orders, there shall be no activity of any sort at the site, except protection of trees already existing," the court had ordered.