Today, On 10th January, The Supreme Court has stated that no trees in Mumbai’s Aarey Colony can be cut without its prior approval. Authorities have been instructed to review applications for tree felling but must obtain specific orders from the court before proceeding. This step is aimed at protecting the ecologically sensitive area. The decision highlights the court’s role in ensuring environmental conservation.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday instructed the tree authority of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation not to permit any further tree felling in Mumbai’s Aarey Colony without its approval.
A bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Aravind Kumar stated that the authority could process applications and then seek orders from the court.
This directive followed a notification from the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), which informed the bench that there were no pending proposals to cut down more trees in the area.
The next hearing is scheduled for March 5.
The apex court had previously directed the Maharashtra government to clarify whether there were any proposals to fell additional trees in Aarey Forest. In 2023, the court allowed certain forest-dwelling communities to approach the Bombay High Court regarding grievances related to tree felling for the metro rail project.
On April 17, 2023, the Supreme Court criticized Mumbai Metro for attempting to “overreach” its earlier order, which permitted the felling of only 84 trees for a car shed project, and imposed a penalty of Rs 10 lakh on the corporation. The court deemed it improper for the MMRCL to approach the tree authority for permission to fell any trees beyond the approved 84.
However, the court did allow the removal of 177 trees from Aarey Forest, stating that a stay on tree felling would halt the public project, which was not desirable.
The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of a letter petition from law student Rishav Ranjan in 2019, seeking a stay on the tree felling in the colony. On November 29, 2022, the court permitted Mumbai Metro to raise its plea for the felling of 84 trees with the relevant authority.
The court directed the MMRCL to strictly adhere to its commitment regarding no further tree felling and warned of severe action in case of violations.
The authorities were restrained from cutting any additional trees after the solicitor general, representing the Maharashtra government, confirmed that no more trees would be cut. The felling of trees in the colony faced opposition from environmental activists and Aarey residents.