New Delhi, Sept. 16 -- The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought responses from the Maharashtra government and others on an application by the Tree Authority of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) seeking permission to fell 124 trees and translocate 333 others for a proposed film institute development project near the Aarey Forest area.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana granted two weeks to file responses.

During the hearing, counsel appearing for the Tree Authority submitted that the project was of "national importance" and that the land in question did not fall within the Aarey Forest area.

He said the application had been filed as a precautionary measure in view of the ...