Illegal tree felling: Supreme Court issues contempt notice to land owners in Uttar Pradesh

The Supreme Court on Friday issued civil contempt of court notices to two private Uttar Pradesh landowners responsible for illegal felling of 454 trees at Vrindavan-Chatikara Road in Mathura..A Bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih made it clear that such actions were blatantly illegal."The latest CEC report discloses a shocking state of affairs. It records that 454 trees were illegally felled on the night of 18th and 19th September 2024...From the report, it appears that this blatantly illegal action of felling as many as 454 trees have been taken by persons named in report in violation of orders of this court. Prima facie, we are of the view that the persons mentioned in the report are guilty of civil contempt. Hence we issue notice to them, returnable on 16th December, calling upon them to show cause as to why action under the Contempt of Courts Act should not be initiated against them.".The Bench ordered that no further felling or any construction activity should take place at the site, and the timber already illegally felled be handled in accordance with law.The Registry was to directed to forward the contempt notices to the Mathura Superintendent of Police, who is to direct the local station house officer to visit the site and ensure compliance with the present order."We make it clear that whenever permissions are granted by this court for felling of trees, such activities shall not be carried out between 6pm-8am," it added..The Bench was hearing a batch of cases over tree felling in and around the land known as the 'Taj Trapezium Zone' in Uttar Pradesh (UP).The area referred to in today's hearing (Dalmia farms) is part of a protected forest..Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati appeared for the Union government.Advocate Ajit Sharma appeared for the petitioner-applicant..Note: An earlier piece had wrongly stated that the contempt of court notices were issued to UP State officials; the error is regretted..[Read Order]