Order of the Supreme Court of India regarding felling of trees for construction purposes, Kolkata, West Bengal, 09/01/2020
Order of the Supreme Court of India regarding Association for Protection of Democratic Rights & Others Vs The State of West Bengal & Others dated 09/01/2020 regarding felling of 356 trees, of which some are heritage trees and as old as 80 years old for the construction of railway overbridges and expansion of NH-112, Jessore Road, Kolkata, West Bengal.
The apex court said that "it would be desirable if alternatives to the proposed felling of heritage trees is considered by a committee of experts" and directed the constitution of a committee comprising among others, Sunita Narain, Director, Centre for Science and Environment. The aforesaid Committee has been asked to "expeditiously take a decision about the best course to be adopted in the present case" and submit a report to the court within a period of five weeks.