Nagpur High Court Demands Comprehensive Report on Trees Freed from Concrete Encasement
The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has taken a firm stance on urban environmental protection, issuing a directive for detailed zone-wise information regarding trees that have been liberated from cement and concrete encasements around their trunks. This significant judicial intervention aims to address the widespread issue of concretisation harming the city's green cover.
Court Directs Authorities to Submit Detailed Data
A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode has mandated that authorities compile and present a comprehensive report. This document must clearly indicate the precise number of trees that have been dechoked and specify the zones where such remedial work has been carried out. The bench issued a stern warning, stating that if complete and satisfactory information is not submitted, the court may compel authorities to disclose the names of the responsible officials, holding them accountable for any lapses.
Background of the Public Interest Litigations
The court's directions emerged during the hearing of two Public Interest Litigations (PILs). These legal petitions focus on the large-scale concretisation around trees in Nagpur and allege serious violations of established urban environmental norms. The court observed that when cement and concrete are laid tightly around tree trunks, it creates a harmful barrier. This encasement obstructs essential water absorption and severely restricts root growth, often leading to long-term damage or even the premature death of the affected trees.
One of the petitions originated in 2018 after the court itself took suo motu cognisance of rampant tree felling incidents across the city. A separate petition was subsequently filed by environmental expert Sharad Patil and three other concerned citizens. This petition specifically sought the removal of concrete from around trees and the implementation of robust measures to protect and preserve urban greenery.Findings of the Court-Appointed Committee
In earlier proceedings, the court appointed a committee of three lawyers to conduct a thorough inspection. Their mandate was to examine cement roads and assess trees surrounded by concrete structures. The committee's findings were alarming, revealing that as many as 528 trees in Nagpur were found to be encased in cement or concrete. This condition was described as a serious and blatant violation of urban green regulations, highlighting the scale of the problem.
Legal Representation in the Case
Radhika Bajaj assisted the court as amicus curiae in this important environmental matter. The state government's interests were represented by NS Rao, while Gemini Kasat appeared on behalf of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, the body directly responsible for the city's urban management and environmental upkeep.
This case underscores the judiciary's proactive role in enforcing environmental safeguards and ensuring municipal accountability for the health of urban ecosystems.
