Citing ‘public utility’, Bombay High Court allows felling of 208 mangroves for Vadhavan Port link road
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Environmental laws, EIA & institutions· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
The Bombay High Court permitted the felling of 208 mangroves to facilitate a link road for the Vadhavan Port project, citing 'public utility' as a justification.
Background
The Bombay High Court granted permission for the removal of 208 mangrove trees in Maharashtra. The project involves constructing a link road to connect the Vadhavan Port, a major infrastructure initiative.
Facts for Prelims
- PlaceVadhavan Port: A major multi-purpose port project located in the Palghar district of Maharashtra.
- EnvironmentMangroves: Coastal ecosystems that act as natural barriers against tsunamis and coastal erosion.
- Fact208 mangroves were authorized for felling by the Bombay High Court for the link road project.
For Mains
Q. Examine the conflict between large-scale infrastructure development and coastal ecosystem preservation in India. How can 'public utility' be balanced against environmental conservation?
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Judicial scrutiny: The role of the judiciary in interpreting 'public utility' versus the 'Precautionary Principle' in environmental law.
- Biodiversity loss: Irreversible damage to coastal biodiversity and natural flood defenses due to localized infrastructure expansion.
Keywords: Precautionary Principle · Sustainable Development · Coastal Zone Management · Public Utility · Ecological Integrity
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.