Chopping large number of trees worse than killing human beings, says Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of India has made a strong statement regarding environmental conservation, declaring that the indiscriminate felling of a large number of trees is a graver offense than taking human life. The court made this remark while imposing a hefty fine on an individual for illegally cutting down trees in the ecologically sensitive Taj Trapezium Zone.
A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan passed the judgment while hearing the case of a man who had unlawfully felled 454 trees within the protected area. The Supreme Court firmly rejected his plea for leniency, emphasizing the irreversible damage caused to the environment by his actions.
“There should be no leniency in cases that involve environmental destruction. Cutting down a significant number of trees is an act more severe than even taking a human life,” the bench observed. The court highlighted the extensive time required to restore the lost greenery, stating that it would take no less than a century for the ecosystem to regenerate the damage inflicted by the loss of 454 trees.
The apex court endorsed the recommendations put forth by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), which had assessed the situation and proposed a substantial fine of Rs 1 lakh per tree. The penalty was imposed on Shiv Shankar Agarwal, who was found responsible for clearing the trees at Dalmia Farms, located in the Mathura-Vrindavan region.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Agarwal, acknowledged his client’s wrongdoing and sought a reduction in the fine amount. However, the Supreme Court dismissed this request, underscoring the need for strict action in cases involving environmental violations. The bench insisted that Agarwal be held accountable for his actions without any relaxation in the penalty imposed.
In addition to the financial penalty, the court directed Agarwal to undertake a compensatory plantation drive. He was ordered to plant trees at a designated site in the vicinity as a remedial measure to counteract the environmental damage caused by the deforestation. Furthermore, the court made it clear that the contempt petition filed against him would only be disposed of once he fully complied with the imposed conditions, including the replantation initiative.
In a related decision, the Supreme Court also revisited and rescinded its 2019 ruling, which had previously removed the requirement of obtaining prior permission to cut down trees on non-forest and privately owned lands within the Taj Trapezium Zone. By overturning this directive, the court reinstated stricter environmental safeguards in the region, reinforcing its commitment to preserving ecological balance and protecting green cover.
This ruling serves as a landmark decision, reaffirming the judiciary’s dedication to stringent environmental protection. By imposing severe penalties and emphasizing the long-term consequences of deforestation, the Supreme Court has sent a clear message that environmental violations will not be tolerated and will be met with decisive legal action.
