The Supreme Court on Monday questioned the Centre for granting environmental clearances for community centres.
The bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta asked Solicitor General of India (SGI) Tushar Mehta: “What are the community centres. Should the trees fall to make way for community centres?”
“No one is against the setting up of dispensaries, community centres, but it should be done with a systematic approach. We can’t allow a blanket order for this, construction is allowed to continue where it has started. But no more than that,” the bench further explained.
The matter was posted for next hearing to April 29.
The bench was hearing a plea filed by one S Rajaseekaran raising concern over the ecological imbalance and seeking protection and conservation of forests throughout the country, protection of wildlife, ban on felling of trees and depletion of underground water level.
—India Legal Bureau
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