Thread by @barandbench

#SupremeCourt hears an application which objects to the road widening project for the #CharDham yatra.

Adv: whenever there is a diversion of forest land for a non forest purpose, the ecological cost has to be looked into and inspection needs to be minute.

Justice Aniruddha Bose: If you are on mitigation factors then its compensation related

Justice DY Chandrachud: let it come before the expert committee

Advocate: they say they will cut 8,000 trees but says this forest will come in another crown area

DYC J: The committee which NGT has constituted has different body entities like Wildlife warden, conservator for forests etc.

Adv: all of them either centre or state

Adv: they can do compensatory afforestation but let them choose a degraded area for that. they have created 10 different areas which are already forested

SC: We will take note of that and bring it to the attention of expert committee.

Adv: height also, since these are elephant areas, when they cross they need to see the other side and sky

DYC J: Mr Solicitor, its a challenge to the order of NGT, AG had appeared earlier.. petitioners say that NGT has given them liberty to appear for expert committee, he wants some unofficial members along with official members.

SG: Not trusting an officer merely because he is a govt servant would not be a correct approach. someone not from govt may have his own notions and no idea of ground level issues, Please leave it to the chief secretary

DYC J: Let us keep this on Monday. Let Mr Ritwick Dutta suggest some names and you also tell us some expert names.

SG: We are apprehensive since it is not always in environmental interest.

SG: Please have this on Monday

DYC J: We can have Indian Forest institute, forest research institute or forest research management institute. Lets have this on Monday 10.30 am.

#supremecourt