The High Court of Meghalaya has recently directed state authorities to take immediate action to stop irregular and illegal felling of trees in the East Khasi Hills District, particularly in the Lower New Colony area, Laitumkhrah.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice I P Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh issued the directive when hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Geraldine G Shabong against illegal felling of trees in the state.
The PIL relies on the Meghalaya Tree (Preservation) Act, 1976, and the Meghalaya Tree (Preservation) Rules, 1976, which mandate that permission to fell trees can only be granted after a thorough inquiry by the Divisional Forest Officer.
However, the petitioner alleges that the state authorities have been felling trees without following the due procedure, including the felling of heritage trees over a century old.
The Court directed the state respondents to disclose all pending applications for felling trees in the region and to ensure that these applications are processed and disposed of in accordance with the Act and Rules.
The state authorities have also been directed to review decisions already made allowing felling of trees but not yet carried out, to ensure that they comply with the law.
Furthermore, the court has ordered the state respondents to take steps to plant trees of the same type or description in areas where trees have been felled irregularly or illegally, in order to restore the ecology of the area.
The state has been directed to file an affidavit by February 28, 2025, detailing the actions taken to comply with the court’s directions.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on March 5, 2025.