#forest clearance

Bombay High Court permits diversion of 9.2498 hectares of mangrove forest for an 8-lane highway to Vadhavan Port, holding that public utility outweighs environmental concerns under the Public Trust Doctrine, subject to strict compensatory afforestation. The ruling sets a precedent for future infrastructure projects requiring environmental clearances.

NGT invokes suo motu powers to halt illegal hill-cutting in Himachal Pradesh after a citizen's complaint, ordering joint inspections by forest, mining, and pollution control authorities. The ruling mandates production of environmental clearances and imposes a stop-work order until legality is verified, setting a precedent for public grievances in environmental violations.