Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 14: High Court today issued notice to Government for response over laying of power transmission line in the Sindh Forests and cutting down of thousands of trees.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice D S Thakur in a PIL filed by Advocate Altaf Lone issued notice to Chief Secretary, Commissioner Secretary Forest Department, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, District Forest Officer Ganderbal, Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal and General Manager, Power Grid Corporation of
India for filing of response to the contentions raised in the PIL.
It has been submitted by Advocate Lone to the court that the respondents have undertaken the work of cutting down of thousands of trees in Sindh forest division, Ganderbal for laying 220 KVSrinagar (Alastang)-Leh power transmission line and created a disaster in the forests.
“About 148.1469 hectors of forest land has been sanctioned for construction of the transmission line by Power Grid Corporation of India of which 84.0689 alone has been sanctioned in Sindh Division. A total 14561 trees have to be cut down, of which 8166 alone in Sindh division for the execution of the project”, reads the PIL.
“Respondents be commanded to alter the path way for the Srinagar-Leh 220 KV power transmission preferably along the sides of Nallah Sindh in such a way without cutting down forest”, petitioner further prays.
It is further mentioned in the petition that under the guise of development, the environment is being put in jeopardy, which has thereby resulted in violation of essential fundamental right of clean and pollution free environment guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of the country.
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