Can we place value on environmental loss: Bombay HC

Mumbai: The Bombay high court, while hearing petitions against the axing of trees at Aarey Colony, said that the arguments needed to be practical and based on actual loss to the people and environment. The court questioned whether a value could be placed on environmental degradation.

A bench of Chief Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice Bharti Dangre Monday was hearing a petition filed by activist Zoru Bathena challenging the approval given by the civic tree authority on August 29 for felling of trees for the metro 3 car shed and another petition filed in October 2018, seeking direction to declare Aarey a forest area.

The bench said, “We need both the environment and development. Therefore, we need to compare and contrast the two. World over, scientists and ecologists are researching the issue of how to put a value on environmental loss. Can a monetary value by placed on environmental degradation? What is the economic value of environmental loss? We need to see that.” The court also said it had collected research material on the issue, and gave copies of the said material to advocates representing the petitioners - BMC, MMRCL and the state government. The bench asked the petitioners and the BMC whether it was okay if it heard all petitions pertaining to the Aarey issue together.

BMC counsel Aspi Chinoy opposed this and requested the court to hear the petitions separately. “The issues are separate. If the court starts hearing the petition pertaining to whether Aarey is a forest area or not, then the issue of cutting of trees for the metro project will be sidelined,” said advocate Chinoy.

The bench said it would post all petitions for hearing on September 17 and decide on that date the sequence in which to hear them.