2 months ago
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Decrying the projected felling of Khejri trees for star powerfulness projects arsenic a "stark example" of biology demolition successful the sanction of technological progress, the Rajasthan High Court has expressed anticipation that the State-appointed committee connected histrion extortion would research each viable alternate to forestall the nonaccomplishment of "even a azygous tree".
A Bench of Justices, Justice Arun Monga and Justice Sandeep Shah made the observations portion disposing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a non-profit enactment (NGO), Shri Jambeshwar Paryavaran and Jeev Raksha Pradesh Sanstha, seeking extortion of Khejri trees successful Rajasthan.
The Bench directed that nary trees shall beryllium felled without anterior support successful accordance with the law. It said that determination should beryllium owed intimation to the committee constituted by the State Government to analyse the contented and suggest protective measures, including imaginable legislation.
Referring to the ecological value of the Khejri (Prosopis cineraria), the Court observed that the uncommon godforsaken histrion grows successful sparse isolation successful the arid region, yet is projected to beryllium chopped to facilitate star powerfulness generation.
"The irony is breathtaking," the Bench remarked and questioned whether nine was destroying quality successful the sanction of technology.
The Court besides referred to the historical sacrifice associated with the extortion of Khejri trees successful 1730, erstwhile members of the Bishnoi assemblage laid down their lives portion opposing histrion felling.
Drawing a parallel with the contiguous situation, the seat observed that possibly the clip had travel erstwhile again for the rulers of the time to contented a "farmaan" for the extortion of trees and ecological balance.
The PIL had sought directions to halt the alleged amerciable cutting of trees, peculiarly Khejri trees, without owed procedure.
The petitioner organisation further urged the State Government to enact a caller Tree Protection Act akin to laws successful different States oregon framework due guidelines for the conservation of Khejri trees.
It besides sought promotion of agroforestry connected backstage and non-forest onshore crossed Rajasthan and a mechanics for compensatory plantation.
Appearing for the petitioner, counsel Vijay Bishnoi submitted that nether the guise of the implementation of the State's star powerfulness policy, existing greenish screen was being indiscriminately cleared.
He argued that the affected onshore was mostly infertile and that Khejri trees were among the fewer taxon people suited to past the harsh godforsaken climate. The counsel besides pointed to the affectional and spiritual value attached to the histrion by section communities.
During the proceedings, the State informed the Court that it had already taken cognisance of the substance and constituted a peculiar committee done an bid dated March 9, 2026.
The committee has been tasked with undertaking a comparative survey of histrion extortion laws successful antithetic States, consulting stakeholders and examining judicial decisions and existing ineligible provisions relating to histrion conservation earlier preparing a draught connection wrong a month.
Taking enactment of the Government initiative, the Court observed that the desired effect sought done judicial involution appeared to person been substantially achieved and, therefore, nary further interference was required astatine this stage.
However, liberty was granted to the petitioner to assistance the committee successful its deliberations and to revive proceedings successful lawsuit immoderate grievance survives.
