The Meghalaya High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of large-scale illegal tree felling in Lawsohtun, East Khasi Hills, expressing deep concern over the environmental degradation caused by the activity. The action was initiated during a hearing on a related PIL concerning tree felling in Laitumkhrah, where the court was informed of the alarming situation in Lawsohtun.
Court Shocked by Environmental Damage
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh was visibly shocked by reports that the entire landscape of Lawsohtun had changed due to indiscriminate logging. The court directed the petitioner to file an affidavit detailing the developments, based on which it formally took suo motu action.
Committee Under Fire for Inaction
The court criticized the three-member committee led by the Chief Conservator of Forests for delegating responsibilities to Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) without conducting independent inspections. It noted that the committee had failed to verify whether trees marked for felling were truly dead or dangerous, as claimed in various applications.
Immediate Halt on Tree Felling
The bench ordered that no tree felling or even lopping of branches should be permitted unless the committee is fully satisfied that the tree poses an imminent threat to life or property. It also directed the committee to conduct on-ground inspections and submit a detailed report by July 18, ahead of the next hearing scheduled for July 22, 2025.
Expanding the Scope of Environmental Oversight
This development follows a broader directive by the High Court earlier this year to halt tree felling across Meghalaya amid rising environmental concerns. The court has emphasized that trees are vital to the state’s ecological balance and natural beauty, and must not be removed without due process.
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