New Delhi, Oct. 28 -- The Supreme Court on Monday slammed the Maharashtra government over the compensatory afforestation carried out in lieu of trees cut in Aarey forest after an inspection of the over 20,000 saplings revealed that only 50% of trees had managed to survive.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan R Gavai threatened to withdraw all past orders of tree felling noting how the state has not been "sincere" in implementing the court orders. It further directed the state chief secretary to come out with concrete proposals for management and protection of the trees planted as part of compensatory afforestation by November 10.

The court was hearing an application filed by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (...