Gujarat HC notices to government, PCCF over PIL.

Published: Saturday, Dec 31, 2011, 12:32 IST
By DNA Correspondent | Place: Ahmedabad | Agency: DNA 
A bench of Gujarat high court consisting of acting chief justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and justice JB Pardiwala, on Thursday, issued notices to the state government, principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) and Mehsana collector in connection with a PIL filed against the proposal to cut trees in the district.
The PIL was filed by Paryavaran Mitra and Rushibhumey Pravrtaya, NGOs working for conservation of the environment, over the decision taken by Mehsana DCF to cut down about 18,663 trees in Mehsana district for road widening work in various parts of the district.
It was submitted in the petition that the local authorities of the forest department had issued a notice in a local newspaper inviting tenders for cutting the trees in Unja, Kheralu, Visnagar, Vijapur, Kadi and Mehsana Range near roadside and within Gram Van. The notice said the trees were to be cut under Social Forestry Scheme.
The petitioners said there was no necessity of cutting down the trees, and therefore, the said notice was required to be quashed and set aside. It was submitted that the notice itself was contrary to the policy and objective of the Social Forestry Scheme and the provisions of Constitution of India. It was submitted that as per the notification issued by the DCF, a total of about 18,663 trees were proposed to be cut.
It was also pointed out that on these trees there were nests ofvultures and other birds, and therefore to save these birds, effective steps should be taken.
Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_gujarat-hc-notices-to-government-pccf-over-pil_1631848