Replanting Justice: Supreme Court Orders Restoration of 454 Trees in Mathura’s Dalmia Bagh
2024.12.21 (Vrindavan Today News): The Supreme Court of India gives a landmark judgment in a case related to the massive tree felling in Vrindavan. The area falls under the Taj Trapezium Zone. The Supreme Court of India has mandated the replantation of 454 trees in Mathura’s Dalmia Bagh, where they were ruthlessly felled on September 18. The directive comes with stringent penalties and clear guidelines to ensure ecological restoration and accountability for the violations.
The Central Empowered Committee (CEC), constituted by the Supreme Court, conducted an investigation into the illegal felling of trees. Their report recommends a fine of ₹1 lakh per tree, totaling an astounding ₹4.54 crore penalty. This fine will be deposited with the forest department and allocated towards afforestation in the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), a highly sensitive ecological area.
Dr. Sharad Gupta, an environmentalist from Agra, who filed the petition, stated that the funds will be utilized to plant trees in designated areas, ensuring that no construction occurs on these lands. Furthermore, the Mathura-Vrindavan Development Authority has been tasked with ensuring compliance with this directive.
Restoration Plans
To restore the green cover, the court has ordered that 454 trees be planted on the same site, adhering to a spacing of three meters between them. This includes 422 trees in Dalmia Bagh and 32 trees on adjacent protected forest land. The Uttar Pradesh Forest Department will oversee the plantation and care of the saplings.
Additionally, the landowner of Dalmia Bagh has been directed to provide land for planting 9,080 trees in the vicinity. This area will be declared a protected forest by the state government.
Legal and Administrative Actions
The CEC report highlighted severe violations, including the felling of 32 trees from protected forest land. It recommended punitive action against the landowner under the Uttar Pradesh Tree Protection Act, 1976. All illegally harvested timber has been confiscated by the forest department, and further penalties under the Act are being processed.
The landowner has also been held accountable for unauthorized construction of an access road through protected forest land. The Supreme Court has imposed a stay on any further construction activities at the site.
To ensure compliance with the court’s orders, the Commissioner will submit quarterly reports to the Supreme Court through the CEC. These reports will detail the progress of replantation efforts and adherence to all mandated conditions.
Environmental Responsibility
This case underscores the increasing judicial emphasis on environmental accountability in India. By prioritizing reforestation and imposing hefty fines, the court has sent a strong message against illegal tree-felling. It also highlights the critical role of vigilant environmentalists like Dr. Sharad Gupta, whose efforts ensure the protection of fragile ecosystems.
The restoration of Dalmia Bagh is not just a step toward environmental justice but also a reminder of our collective responsibility to safeguard nature for future generations.
