HC strict on illegal deforestation in Uttarakhand directs action against guilty officials
The court has asked the government to take action against the guilty officials. Taking suo motu cognizance of this matter, the double bench of the High Court had accepted the PIL. During the hearing on the petition, the High Court raised many questions in strong words on the functioning of the forest department.
The Uttarakhand High Court has reprimanded the forest department officials for not taking any action to stop large-scale deforestation. The court has asked the government to take action against the guilty officials. Taking suo motu cognizance of this matter, the double bench of the High Court had accepted the PIL. During the hearing on the petition, the High Court raised many questions in strong words on the functioning of the forest department.
High Court reprimanded the officials
The High Court has reprimanded the officials for indiscriminate cutting of trees from Kaladhungi to Bazpur Road. A bench headed by Justice Sharad Sharma and Justice Pankaj Purohit said that the law has to meet the needs of the hour and socio-ecological changes, and what has been experienced is that gradually, the forest areas of the state are shrinking, on the contrary, it has been advocated without any logical basis on any credible basis.
The court said that for the purposes of development of the state, there should also be uniform economic development. The High Court said that priority should be given to the rights of forest protection. The court also said that such practices are not limited to just one place, but are happening across the state, and the department is not taking any action.