Senior advocate A.M. Singhvi, appearing for Telangana, said the State deserved its day in court to persuade that IT and ecology could go together. “I am here to persuade My Lords that ecology and IT can go together. Can I not persuade Your Lordships? Must I drop my case here and now,” he asked the Bench also comprising Justice A.G. Masih.
Chief Justice Gavai said whether IT and ecology could go hand in hand was another question.
“We have always been advocates of sustainable development. But the question here is the felling of thousands of trees, taking advantage of a long weekend,” the Chief Justice reacted.
Mr. Singhvi maintained that “thousands” of trees were not cut. “We have seen the photographs,” Chief Justice Gavai responded.
Mr. Singhvi submitted that not a leaf has been moved on the site after the apex court ordered everything to be stopped on April 16. The State was complying with the court’s direction in letter and spirit. A huge afforestation programme was underway in the area.
Amicus curiae, senior advocate K. Parameshwar, drew the attention of the court to a finding in a Forest Survey of India report, which was forwarded to the Central Empowered Committee, that out of the 104 acres cut in two nights, over 60% had been moderately and heavily dense forest.
“So there is a very clear finding,” Mr. Parameshwar submitted.