Shillong, Feb 7: The Meghalaya High Court on Friday directed the state authorities to keep in abeyance the felling of trees and review such decisions to ensure that they have been made in accordance with law.
Passing an order after hearing a PIL on the matter, the bench comprising of Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh said, “In respect of decisions already made allowing felling of trees but felling of trees not done till today, the respondent authorities shall keep the felling of trees in abeyance and review such decisions to ensure that they have been made in accordance with law.”
It has also directed the state authorities to disclose all pending applications for felling of trees in the East Khasi Hills region.
“They shall ensure that all these applications are processed and disposed of strictly in accordance with the said Act and Rules. It should state the status the procedure followed and the outcome of each and every pending application,” the bench said.
“If any felling of trees has already been done irregularly or illegally it is irreversible. We direct that wherever such felling has taken place, the respondents will take steps to plant trees more or less of the same type or description, so as to restore the ecology of the area,” it further stated in the order.
The PIL filed by one Geraldine G Shabong seeking orders of the Court to stop illegal or irregular felling of trees by the respondent State authorities in and around the Lower New Colony area, Laitumkhrah.
However, considering the nature, scope and impact of the writ petition, the Court decided to include the entire East Khasi Hills District within the purview of the petition and this order.
In the writ petition, the writ petitioner relies upon the Meghalaya Tree (Preservation) Act, 1976 and the Meghalaya Tree (Preservation) Rules, 1976 framed thereunder which, inter alia, provide that before according permission to fell a tree in the State, an application has to be made by the Divisional Forest Officer in Form-I of the said Rules, followed by an enquiry by the Divisional Forest Officer before
such permission is granted. The Nagar Van Yojana (NVJ) scheme of the Government of India in 2020, restrained felling of trees and promoted “urban forestry” , the writ petition averred.
“By citing certain examples, the writ petitioner has tried to impress upon us that without following due procedure, the State respondents have indiscriminately felled trees in the above area, on complaints being made by individuals that the trees were either obstructing ingress or egress or were standing dangerously.
Such felling of trees also include felling of heritage trees which are over a century old,” the order said.
“ N.D. Chullai, learned AAG appearing for the respondents has filed an affidavit -in -opposition affirmed on 18th June, 2024 attempting to deal with the allegations. We do not find any indication therein as to whether the procedure in the above rules has been followed,” it stated.
Further, the bench has directed the state to submit an action taken report by February 28.
