The Jammu and Kashmir High Court directed the respondents to consider and decide the representation of the petitioner regarding destruction of 40,000 trees in village Chak Rakhawalan, Nagrota District Jammu.
The Division Bench of Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Rajesh Sekhri disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) praying for the following reliefs:
(i) Taking cognizance of the incident with regard to cutting of trees by directing the respondents and the Administration of Union Territory of J&K to protect the environment by stopping the destruction of 40,000 trees in village Chak Rakhawalan, Nagrota District Jammu for any purpose or by any agency, individual or group of individuals, whatsoever.
(ii) From an expert committee which will look after the said matter and submit a detail report in this regard and ensure stopping the destruction of 40,000 trees in village Chak Rakhawalan, Nagrota District Jammu for any purpose or by any agency, individual or group of individuals, whatsoever unless it meets Expert scrutiny and
(iii) Specifically direct respondents to make sure that the destruction of 40,000 trees in area Village Chak Rakhawalan, Nagrota District Jammu may be stopped and not to damage, fell, uproot, cut down, burndown or otherwise destroy part of whole trees.
(iv) Direct the Administration of Union Territory of J&K to formulate policies so that trees are not unnecessarily cut for future events.
When the matter was taken up, Counsel for the petitioners submitted that before filing the petition, the petitioners have approached the Lt. Governor of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir by way of a representation dated 22.01.2022 . However, till date, nothing has been conveyed to the petitioners with regard to the representation.
The Bench deemed it appropriate to dispose of the petition instead of keeping it pending by directing the respondents to consider and decide the representation within a period of four weeks from the date copy of this order along with complete paper book is made available to them.
However, the Court granted liberty to the petitioners to approach the court again in case of any adversity or the failure on the part of the respondents to decide the representation with the stipulated time frame.
Jammu and Kashmir & Ladakh High Court tells respondents to consider representation against cutting of 40,000 trees
