- (1.) I.A. No. 460: An additional affidavit has been filed by the Conservator of Forests, Agra, State of U.P. pursuant to our order dated 9.03.2015. The affidavit explains the position in regard to the three queries that we had formulated in the said order. We have been taken through the contents of the affidavit by the learned Advocate General for the State of U.P. who submits that the State has no matter belatedly, taken effective steps for identifying a total extent of 860.82 hectares of land for purposes of compensatory afforestation. This land has been according to the learned Advocate General identified in six districts namely Agra, Mathura, Firozabad, Hathrath, Kasganj and Aligarh in the State of U.P.. He has by reference to Annexure A 4 of the affidavit submitted that not only does the State plan to use the land identified in the said districts for compensatory afforestation but even to provide for its fencing and watering of the area to prevent plant mortality. It is submitted that the State Government has for the present set part a sum of Rs. 20,00,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty Crores only) for the purpose of compensatory afforestation plan which will spread over a period of two years i.e. 2015-2016 and 2016-2017. He urged that by the end of 31.08.2015 the State Government is committed to plant a minimum of 6 lakh's saplings in the area identified in Annexure 4 of the affidavit.
(2.) On behalf of the respondents it was submitted by Mr. A.D.N. Rao, learned counsel appearing for the CEC that further progress on the proposed afforestation projects set out in the affidavit in the documents enclosed therewith should be properly monitored and that a direction could be issued to the Chief Secretary, State of U.P. to submit quarterly progress reports. It was further submitted that the Regional Office, MOEF Lucknow could also be directed to associate with and monitor the progress made in the implementation of the proposed project.
(3.) Mr. Mehta, petitioner in person submitted that the identification of the land set out in Annexure A-4 itself is a matter that needs to be verified as there is nothing apart from the particulars given in the said Annexure to suggest that the land mentioned therein is actually available with the State Government for purposes of plantation.;