Vanishing green in Lawsohtun draws HC attention

Shillong, June 25: The Meghalaya High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of large-scale tree felling in Lawsohtun in East Khasi Hills district.

Illegal tree felling in Lawsohtun came to light during the hearing of a PIL on Tuesday, which initially sought to stop irregular tree felling in and around the Lower New Colony area, Laitumkhrah.

In its order, the division bench, comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh, expressed deep concern and shock upon hearing the petitioner’s counsel’s submission that indiscriminate and large-scale tree felling had changed the entire landscape and environment of the area.

The court directed the petitioner to file an affidavit bringing on record the facts and took suo motu cognizance of the development.

The state government filed a report on June 20 stating that a committee had been constituted to implement the court’s orders to stop illegal felling of trees.

However, the court found that the committee had delegated its duties to Divisional Forest Officers and taken little action itself. It directed the committee to make random visits and inspections of trees certified by the Divisional Forest Officer and verify the truth of the assertion.

The committee was also directed to call for a report from the concerned Divisional Forest Officer regarding the allegation of large-scale illegal felling of trees in Lawsohtun.

The court ordered that no felling of trees or lopping of branches should be permitted until the committee completes its exercise and takes decisions or approves decisions by Divisional Forest Officers.

The respondents were asked to file an action taken report by July 18. The court listed the PIL for further hearing on July 22.