Former Karnataka HC Judge to assist Supreme Court on issue of Preservation of Trees

The Supreme Court on Thursday appointed former Karnataka High Court Judge and Senior Counsel AN Venugopala Gowda as Amicus Curiae in the case concerning the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act..The Bench of Justice AK Sikri and Justice S Abdul Nazeer passed the order appointing the former judge to assist the Court with looking into the validity of the order passed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) vis-a-vis planting of trees. The Supreme Court order states,.“Having regard to the importance of the matter we appoint Mr. A.N. Venugopala Gowda, Sr. Advocate as Amicus Curiae who may be assisted by the counsel of his own choice.”.The Act prescribes for the authorities to plant two trees for felling of one tree. The direction of the NGT, however, requires the state government to plant at least ten trees for felling of one tree, be it in a forest or on private land..The NGT order had also stated that those proposing to cut or fell trees for any project were required to deposit a sufficient amount of money with the Forest Department for the purpose of maintenance and due care of the trees to be planted..This order of the NGT was challenged before the Apex Court by the Karnataka government..The Court had, in January, stayed the NGT order and this interim order will continue till the next date of hearing in the case, which is fixed for the first week of February 2019..Read the Order: