Anguished at the massive depletion of forests in the picturesque Dehra Dun and Mussoorie, the Supreme Court asked the Centre to set up a committee to monitor the steps taken by the Uttaranchal government for protecting the environment. A Bench comprising Chief Justice B N Kirpal, Justice K G Balakrishan and Justice Arijit Pasayat accepted Solicitor General Harish N Salve's suggestion that a committee was needed to monitor afforestation in the areas.