Hello friends, Do you know that the Supreme Court has taken a big step to save forests in our country? Yes, on Tuesday (March 4), the Supreme Court gave a stern warning to those states and union territories that have not yet formed expert committees to identify forests. The court has clearly said that if these committees are not formed within a month and the work of identifying forests is not completed in six months, then the Chief Secretaries and Administrators of the respective states and union territories will be held personally accountable.
The fight to save the forest
The bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and A.G. Masih of the Supreme Court took a tough stand on this issue and directed that all the state governments complete this work within the stipulated time. The court said that if the orders are not fully followed, it will not shy away from taking strict action.
The court also said that many states have not yet formed expert committees, while many others have been negligent in completing the necessary work. This matter has been raised under the Forest (Conservation and Promotion) Rules, 2023, a law related to the conservation of forests. The court expressed serious concern that instead of saving the forests, the governments are using them for other projects, due to which the forest area in the country is continuously decreasing.
Why is the Supreme Court concerned
In fact, the petitioners told the court that the governments are using those lands which are actually forests, but they are not shown as forests in the official records. In such a situation, these lands are being used for other projects and due to this the forest area is decreasing rapidly.
In February 2024, the Supreme Court had already ordered that till the complete work of identification of forests is not done, no forest land will be used for other projects. During this, the court had said that if forest land is used for any project, then it will be necessary to rehabilitate forests (compensatory afforestation) at another place in the same proportion.
Why is it necessary to save forests?
Senior advocate Gopal Shankarnarayanan argued in the court that removing some part of the forest affects the entire forest. He said that the conservation of forests is very important not only for the environment but also for preventing climate change. If the governments continue to cut forests like this, then its dire effect will be seen in the coming time.
Another lawyer emphasized that the amendment in the forest laws is also affecting the rights of the tribals and tribal communities. The Supreme Court was told that the work of identifying forests started in 1996, but despite 27 years having passed, this work is still incomplete.
Government’s stand and Supreme Court order
On behalf of the government, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told the court that 33 states/union territories of the country have complied with the orders of the Supreme Court of 1996. However, some states like West Bengal, Ladakh, Jammu Kashmir and Lakshadweep have not even constituted expert committees yet. The government also informed that only Sikkim, Gujarat and Odisha have fully complied with the rules. In such a situation, the court has directed the rest of the states to complete this process within a certain time frame.
What will happen if the states do not follow the order?
If the states and union territories do not follow this order of the Supreme Court, then their Chief Secretaries and Administrators will be held personally responsible. The Supreme Court has clearly said that no negligence will be tolerated regarding the identification and conservation of forests.
This fight to save forests in the country is not just of the government or the Supreme Court, but it is the responsibility of all of us. If the forests are destroyed, not only the environment will be affected, but there will also be climate change, destruction of wildlife and violation of the rights of tribal communities. Now it remains to be seen whether the governments follow this strict order of the Supreme Court or not. If they do not do so, will the court take any major action against them? This will be a matter to be seen in the future.
Disclaimer: This article is written for information and awareness purposes only. The facts given in it are based on Supreme Court orders and related reports. Readers are requested to study official sources for more information.
Also Read:
Supreme Court Slams Overpriced Lawyers: Justice Must Be Accessible to All
