Tricity
HC orders geo‑tagging for compensatory saplings as Fortis plants trees
The High Court ordered geo‑tagging for compensatory saplings after Singh asked to fell 22 trees on five acres allotted by GMADA for hospital project the expansion.
Court directive
The High Court has mandated that any compensatory saplings planted must be geo‑tagged, a requirement that follows a request by hospital incharge Abhijit Singh to fell 22 trees on five acres of land allotted by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) for hospital expansion.
Background
The five‑acre plot was granted to the hospital by GMADA, and the 22 trees are slated for removal to facilitate the hospital’s expansion. Fortis, the company involved in the compensatory planting, is required to ensure that each new tree is planted at a verified location as ordered by the court.
Context
Geo‑tagging involves recording the precise GPS coordinates of each sapling, allowing authorities to verify that the compensatory planting complies with the court’s directive. The High Court’s order aims to ensure accountability and adherence to environmental standards.
Legal basis
The directive stems from the court’s authority to enforce environmental compliance, requiring that any tree removal be offset by verified replanting at documented locations.
Implications
The directive means Fortis must document the exact placement of each new tree, likely using GPS coordinates, before the planting process is completed. This step is intended to prevent any discrepancy between the number of trees felled and the number of trees planted.
Source: source
