On January 9, 2020 the principle bench of National Green Tribunal headed by Chairman Adarsh Kumar Goel ordered Reliance Jio to pay fine to the tune of Rs 10 lakh as a compensation for illegally feeling trees in the case of C. Janardana Reddy v. Jio Reliance Company.
M/s. Laxmi constructions was engaged by the Reliance Jio for laying Optical Fiber Cable from Nannur to Veldurthy Villages in Kurnool district of Andra Pradesh. In these work 125 Avenue trees were felled illegally. The District Forest officer (DFO), Kunoor has issued a show cause notice to Reliance Jio, but allegations were refuted by Reliance in reply. Having not satisfied with the reply, the DFO requested Reliance to further clarify. As no reply was received from Reliance Company, the DFO ordered reliance to remit fine amount of Rs. 2,09,825/- for felling of trees and causing damage to the environment. Complying with the order, M/s. Laxmi constructions remitted the said amount to the Government Head of Account.
A case was also registered against M/s. Laxmi constructions for violating Section 28(5) of A.P Water Land and Trees Act, 2002 which stats that “No felling of the trees or branches is permitted without the prior permission of the designated officer. In case when a tree is to be felled, not less than two seedlings should be planted and when such planting is not possible, cost of raising seedlings and their maintenance shall be recovered from the concerned individual, organisation or other persons for raising plantations in public places.” and Rules 4 & 5 of Andhra Pradesh (Protection of Trees and Timber in Public Premises) Rules, 1989.
But Bench took acknowledgment of the magnitude of violation and found no basis for limiting the amount to Rs. 2 lakh and increased it to Rs. 10 lakh and also ordered to utilize the same on restoration of the area.
Author: Parth Thummar
