M. K. Ranjitsinh vs. Union Of India

<pre>Writ Petition(s)(Civil) No(s). 838/2019</pre> M.K. RANJITSINH & ORS. Petitioner(s) **VERSUS** UNION OF INDIA & ORS. Respondent $(s)$ (IA No. 95438/2019 - CLARIFICATION/DIRECTION IA No. 95435/2019 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T.) Date: 18-02-2020 This matter was called on for hearing today. CORAM : HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B.R. GAVAI HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURYA KANT For Petitioner(s) Ms. Sugandha Yadav, Adv. Ms. Sonia dube, Adv. Ms. Ria Sawhney, Adv. Mr. Shatadru Chakraborty, Adv. For M/S. Legal Options, AOR Mr. A.N.S. Nadkarni, Ld. ASG For Respondent(s) Mr. D.L. Chidanand, Adv. Mr. S.S. Rebello, Adv. Mr. Gurmeet Singh Makker, AOR Dr. Manish Singhvi, Sr. Adv. Mr. Satyendra Kumar, Adv. Mr. Arpit Parkash, Adv. Mr. D.K. Devesh, Adv. Mr. Milind Kumar, Adv. Mr. Varun K Chopra, Adv. Mr. Gurtej Pal Singh, Adv. For M/S. VKC Law Offices, AOR Mr. Mahfooz Ahsan Nazki, AOR Mr. Sachin Patil, AOR Mr. Rahul Chitnis, Adv. Mr. Aaditva A Pande, Adv.

ITEM NO.12

COURT NO.1

SECTION PIL-W

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

Mr. Geo Joseph, Adv.

Mr. S.B. Upadhyay, Sr. Adv. Mr. Somesh Chandra Jha, AOR Mr. Aniruddha P. Mayee, AOR Mr. A. Rajarajan, Adv. Mr. Sanjeev Kr. Choudhary, Adv. Ms. Hemantika Wahi, AOR Ms. Jesal Wahi, Adv. Ms. Puja Singh, Adv. Mr. Ranji Thomas, Sr. Adv. Mr. Manendra Pal Gupta, Adv. Mr. V.N. Raghupathy, AOR Ms. Arti Singh, AOR Mr. Aakashdeep Singh Roda, adv. Ms. Pooja Singh, Adv. Mr./Ms. Shivi Sanyam, Adv. Mr. Karthik Ashok, Adv. Mr. Devendra Singh, Adv. Mr. Anant K. Vatsya, Adv.

UPON hearing the counsel the Court made the following O R D E R

Ms. Sugandha Yadav, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners has submitted 'Terms of Reference' to be adopted by the Committee appointed by this Court vide order dated 15.07.2019.

Shri Nadkarni, learned Additional Solicitor General seeks time to file response. It appears that one of the hazards in relation to the Great Indian Bustard bird is the existence of power lines which are said to obstruct the flight path and said to kill the said bird upon collusion. It is well

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known that the Great Indian Bustard bird is a large bird and finds it difficult to maneuver easily in flight. One of the solutions might be, if the flight path of these birds in the area is determined and overheads lines are taken down and laid underground.

Dr. Manish Singhvi, learned senior counsel appearing for the State of Rajasthan states that he would take appropriate instructions from the State and apprise the Court about the manner in which these lines can be laid underground.

Ms. Sugandha Yadav, learned counsel for the petitioners seeks the inclusion of three persons in the Expert Committee already appointed by this Court. The said persons are said to be experts on the Lesser Florican as well. It is not disputed that Lesser Florican is also endangered in the sense its nests are disturbed by the power generation plants. We, accordingly, direct that following three persons shall be included in the Committee already appointed by this Court :

(1) Dr. Sutirtha Dutta Scientist, Wildlife Institute of India Address : Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Post Office-248018, Dehradun, Uttrakahand. Telephone : +91 8937074550 Email : [email protected]

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(2) Dr. Thulsi Rao,

Director, Research & Extension, Andhra pradesh State Biodiversity Board (APSBB) Address : Walnut Block, Flat No. 311, Rain Tree Park, Guntur-522 508, Andhra Pradesh. Telephone : +91 8500782528, 6305770234 Email : [email protected]

(3) Dr. Samad Kottur, Lecturer, Govt PU College Address: # 461, "ASHA", Basaveshwara Badavane, Hospet-583 201, Karnataka. Telephone : 94489 89263 Email : [email protected]

Order accordingly.

List after four weeks.

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