The Punjab and Haryana High Court has disposed of a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding the depleting green cover in the states of Punjab and Haryana, as well as the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
The PIL was based on a judicial order passed by a Single Judge of the Court, which emphasized the importance of planting trees to mitigate the damage caused by rising pollution levels, diminishing forest cover, and notable changes in the climate.
During the hearing, the bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sudhir Singh was informed that the states of Punjab and Haryana have taken initiatives to encourage tree plantation activities.
Punjab has created a corpus of Rs 10 lakh for the Nyay Van scheme, while Haryana has notified the Van Mitra scheme to encourage community participation in tree plantation activities on non-forest lands.
The Union Territory of Chandigarh has also reported that 51% of its area is under green cover and that 2.98 lakh saplings have been planted in the last financial year.
The Court expressed its appreciation for the efforts taken by the states of Punjab and Haryana, as well as the Union Territory of Chandigarh, to maintain and increase the green cover.
The Court was satisfied that efforts are being made to ensure the maintenance and increase in green cover and hoped that such efforts would continue in the future.
Accordingly, the Court disposed of the petition.