₹1 Lakh Fine for Cutting Each Tree : Supreme Court

• Court declares that cutting trees is worse than taking a human life

• Offenders should not just be fined but also imprisoned

New Delhi – The Supreme Court has ruled that those who harm the environment should not be shown any leniency. It stated that large-scale tree cutting is even worse than taking a human life and approved a penalty of ₹1 lakh per illegally felled tree. The court also clarified that no individual can cut trees without obtaining permission from the relevant authorities or institutions. This ruling was issued in response to a case of illegal tree felling.

🌳 SC: Cutting trees worse than killing a human! ⚖️

Supreme Court imposes ₹1 lakh fine per tree for illegal felling, refusing to reduce the penalty for a man who cut down 454 protected trees. A strong message for environmental protection!

🚨 Mere fines aren’t enough—such… pic.twitter.com/XYbhRUODAQ

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) March 27, 2025

1. Last year, Shivshankar Agarwal was fined ₹1 lakh per tree (a total of ₹4.54 crore) for cutting down 454 trees, as per the report of the Central Empowered Committee, which was accepted by the court.

2. Agarwal’s lawyer, Mukul Rohatgi, argued that his client had admitted his mistake and sought forgiveness. He requested a reduction in the penalty and permission for Agarwal to plant trees not only on the same land but also in nearby areas.

3. However, the court refused to reduce the fine but granted permission for tree plantation in nearby areas.