[Cauvery Calling] Is there any law that prevents planting of trees on government land? Karnataka High Court asks while reserving judgement

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday reserved its judgment in a plea seeking directions to Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev's Isha Foundation to not collect funds from the public for its Cauvery Calling project..The order was passed by a Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum. .When the matter was taken up for hearing, the Bench asked, "Is there any law that restrains petitioner to plant trees on government land?"This question was posed to the Advocate Vidyulatha, who was appointed as amicus curiae in the matter. Vidyulatha replied said that the respondents will have to take permission in order to plant trees on government land. .Appearing for Isha Foundation, Senior Advocate Udaya Holla said that any plantation program should be warmly welcomed, given the fact that the forest cover has been reduced by 40% in the recent past.Further, it was informed that Isha Foundation and Isha Outreach had undertaken the planting of crores of trees in Tamil Nadu, spread across 27 districts. .At this instance the Court asked, "Has the project been stalled because of the PIL?", to which Holla responded in the negative. .Vidyulatha said that though the object is noble, there should not be misappropriation of funds. The Court was told that Isha Foundation and Isha Outreach was collecting ₹42 each for 250 crore trees, amounting to ₹10,626 crore. It was also informed that this amount was exempted from income tax as well. "Where is the money going?", she queried, while pointing out that this was the broader issue of the plea. .Isha Outreach, the organisation in charge of the Cauvery Calling project, had moved the Supreme Court in March against an order passed by the High Court on October 15 last year.On that date, the High Court had decided to treat the plea calling into question Isha Foundation's Cauvery Calling project, as a suo motu petition..The project involves steps to to revitalize the dried up rivers. The petition alleged that as part of the project, Isha Foundation was planting saplings on government land and collecting money for the same from the public.The plea raised the issue of the government allowing its land to be used by a private organisation for planting saplings, without studying the pros and cons of the project..The petitioner further argued that the “collection of money from public is disturbing” as Isha Foundation is expected to collect a massive ₹10,626 crore as donation.During the previous hearing, the Court had opined that an inquiry might be necessary to ascertain whether or not Isha Foundation collected funds from the public by projecting "Cauvery Calling" as a government venture..Inquiry necessary to find out if Isha Foundation raised money from public by projecting 'Cauvery Calling' as govt project: Karnataka High Court