JOT SINGH BISHT Vs. STATE OF UTTARAKHAND

JUDGEMENT

(1.) With the consent of the learned counsel for the parties, this case is being decided at the admission stage itself.

(2.) Briefly stated, the case of the petitioner is that the Border Roads Organization has undertaken the construction of the Char Dham project, which entails the construction of roads through the State of Uttarakhand in general, and a road between Chamba to Nagurgad, on the Rishikesh-Gangotri National Highway in particular. The petitioner claims that while the said construction is continuing, trees are being cut, the mountains are being carved, and the stones, which are extracted from the mountain side, are either left unattended, or are permitted to fall down the mountains, thereby damaging the nearby area.

(3.) In order to highlight the damage being done to the environment, not only the petitioner, but even others have submitted their representations. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that despite the representations dtd. 30/6/2021, 13/10/2021 and 20/10/2021 submitted by other individuals, no substantial steps have been taken by the concerned authority. Meanwhile, due to the neglect of the concerned authority, the ecology and the environment of the area is systematically damaged. Therefore, he prays that a direction should be issued by this Court that after giving an opportunity of hearing to the concerned parties, the representations must be decided by the concerned authority.