In Brief
The Supreme Court addressed whether West Bengal could fell hundreds of trees, including historical specimens aged up to 150 years, to construct road bridges and widen roads. The Court recognized the fundamental right to a clean and healthy environment under Article 21 while acknowledging the State's legitimate development needs. It held that conservation and development must be viewed as complementary, not conflicting strategies. The Court rejected treating trees merely by timber value, instead requiring fair compensation based on ecosystem services: oxygen production, carbon sequestration, soil and water conservation, and biodiversity protection. It appointed an expert committee to develop scientific guidelines for tree-felling in projects, governi compensation and afforestation requirements.
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