The Supreme Court has issued civil contempt notices to officials in Uttar Pradesh following the illegal felling of 454 trees along Vrindavan Road in Mathura, in direct violation of court orders. Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih expressed shock and concern over the incident, which occurred overnight on September 18th and 19th, 2024.
According to the report from the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), the illegal tree cutting was carried out in clear defiance of the Supreme Court’s previous directives. The justices stated, “The latest CEC report discloses a shocking state of affairs. It records that 454 trees were illegally felled… From the report, it appears that this blatantly illegal action has been taken by persons named in the report in violation of orders of this court. Prima facie, we are of the view that the persons mentioned in the report are guilty of civil contempt.”
The Court has set a return date of December 16th for the implicated officials to respond to the contempt notice and explain why action under the Contempt of Courts Act should not be taken against them. Furthermore, the Court has ordered an immediate cessation of any further tree felling or construction activities at the site and mandated that the timber from the illegally felled trees be handled in accordance with legal statutes.
This stern directive comes as part of a broader effort to address environmental violations within the Taj Trapezium Zone, a designated area around the Taj Mahal where environmental regulations are stringently monitored to protect the historical site from pollution damage. The Supreme Court emphasized that permissions for tree felling, when granted, must strictly adhere to the timings specified by the court, specifically prohibiting such activities between 6 PM and 8 AM.
The issue of illegal tree felling poses significant environmental challenges, including deforestation, loss of habitat, and ecological disruption. This case underscores the ongoing struggle faced by authorities to enforce environmental laws and the crucial role of the judiciary in ensuring compliance and safeguarding natural resources.
