18th Sept., 2017

In a special leave petition filed against an order of the Bombay High Court, the Supreme Court has observed that an order passed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests was capable of destroying national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the country.

“It is extremely surprising that 10 km. Eco Sensitive Zone has been reduced by the Ministry of Environment and Forest to 100 meters. Since an order of this nature is capable of destroying national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the country, we would like to examine the validity of this reduction. Prima facie, it appears to us a complete arbitrary exercise of powers by the Ministry of Environment and Forest.”

This observation was made by the bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta as the MoEF had granted environmental clearance to companies located within the eco-sensitive zone (within 10 km) from the Dadar Nagar Haveli Wildlife Sanctuary.

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