SC nods green to the new license for wood based industry in UP
The Supreme Court on an order issued today (October 21, 2022), has given green signal to the new license of wood based industry in Uttar Pradesh. The double bench of Hon'ble Justice BR Gavai and Justice BV Nagarathana, in its judgment has upheld the new licenses issued by the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department on March 1, 2019. It is to be noted that about 1300 wood-based industries have been issued license in the state, which were cancelled by the NGT in the year 2020. After that the state government had rushed to the apex court.
Mr. Ashok Agarwal, President, UP Plywood Manufacturers’ Welfare Association welcomed the decision of the court and said that it will set up new industries in the state that will generate new employment opportunities and the contribution of wood sector will be more in the development of the state. He said that this would also increase the plantation of wood in the state, and farmers would get good rates of timber in the state itself.
In March 2019, the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department had issued 1350 new licenses for wood based industries, which were challenged in the National Green Tribunal. The NGT had sought for a report from the Forest Department on the availability of timber and the new license in the state. Later on after several hearings, the NGT rejected the new license, and then the state government had filed a review petition in the Supreme Court.