In an effort to impede the proposed cutting down of 2057 trees in Dehradun in order to widen the road, the Petitioner filed a writ petition in the public interest. The petitioner claims that the respondents were determined to take down fully grown trees rather than remove encroachments, stalls, electric polls, transformers, tankers and vehicle parking that is not planned, hawkers and squatters, and the encroachment of walking spaces. Additionally, the petitioner requested that the respondents provide guidelines for any road widening project that would require the subsequent felling of trees.
The petitioner’s stay application was dismissed by the Court, enabling the State to press forward with the road widening project. Nonetheless, the State was directed to abide by the conditions and directions set forth by the Court. The Court took into consideration the significance of sustainable development and striking a balance between development and environmental needs. Although it recognized the effects of tree-cutting, it concluded that the amount of forest cover in the area did not put the species of birds and insects at risk. The court additionally noted that the road's development and widening were urgently needed owing to the heavy traffic and would have possible advantages in terms of improved traffic flow and lower carbon emissions.
Case Documents:
No case documents are available.