Cutting large number of trees worse than killing human beings: SC

The Supreme Court has ruled that cutting a large number of trees is worse than killing human beings, while imposing a fine of ₹1 lakh per tree on a man who illegally felled 454 trees in the protected Taj Trapezium Zone.

No Mercy in Environmental Violations

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan rejected the plea of Shiv Shankar Agarwal, who had chopped down trees in Mathura-Vrindavan’s Dalmia Farms. The court emphasized:

"It will take at least 100 years to regenerate the green cover lost."

"There should be no mercy in environmental cases."

Hefty Penalty & Replantation Mandate

The Supreme Court upheld the recommendation of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), ordering Agarwal to pay ₹1 lakh per tree, totaling ₹4.54 crore. While his lawyer, Mukul Rohatgi, admitted the mistake and sought a reduction in the fine, the court refused any leniency.

To mitigate the damage, the bench directed that Agarwal plant new trees at a designated site. The contempt plea against him will be disposed of only after compliance.

Reinstating Tree-Cutting Restrictions

In a significant move, the court reversed its 2019 order, reinstating the requirement for prior permission to cut trees on private and non-forest lands within the Taj Trapezium Zone.

This ruling underscores the judiciary’s firm stance on environmental protection, particularly in ecologically sensitive zones.