Supreme Court News: The Supreme Court has given an important decision regarding the environment. “Every protected forest should have a one-kilometer eco-sensitive zone (ESZ),” the court said. Mining or concrete construction will not be allowed in ESZ. A bench of Justices BR Gawai and Anirudh Bose asked the Chief Conservator of Forests of all the states to prepare a list of existing structures under ESZ. In addition, states must submit a report within three months.
National Green Tribunal’s proceedings quashed
Earlier on Wednesday, the Supreme Court quashed the proceedings before the National Green Tribunal. As a result, construction work in the Rishi Konda hills adjacent to the beach in Visakhapatnam has come to a standstill. “Development is important, but so is environmental protection,” the court said. Justice Gwai and Justice Hema Kohli said that the order of the High Court would be effective on the order of the tribunal.
A balance between development and the environment is essential.
The apex court said that the reversal of the order would be a matter for the concerned authorities. They did not know which command to follow. In such a case, the orders of the Constitutional Court will prevail over the orders of the Tribunal. During the hearing, the bench said, “Just as the economic development of a nation is necessary, so is the balance between development and environmental issues.”