Shillong, July 22: The state government has submitted a report before the Meghalaya High Court informing that the large-scale felling of trees in the Lawsohtun area of East Khasi Hills district was done to facilitate the construction of the Shillong Peak Ropeway Cable Car Project by the Tourism department.
While hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the court had previously expressed deep concern over the allegations and had constituted a State Level Committee to supervise the process of dealing with applications for felling or lopping of tree branches.
The PIL was filed by Geraldine G. Shabong, and the court had earlier directed the State government to submit a report on the matter.
“It appears from this report (an extensive report filed on July 18) that the large -scale felling of trees in the Lawsohtun area of East Khasi Hills District was done to facilitate the construction of the Shillong Peak Ropeway Cable Car Project at Raid Laban Reserve Forests and Raid Laban Forest by the Tourism department of the State government upon obtaining appropriate approval for forest clearance from the Central government,” the division bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh said in its order passed on Tuesday (July 22).
The bench has also taken note of the report, which mentions that the Central government has provided compensatory land for afforestation.
However, the petitioner’s counsel K Paul has raised concerns that the land is situated in another district and may not serve the purpose of improving the environment in the affected area (in East Khasi Hills).
The court has given time to the petitioner to peruse the report in detail and file a rejoinder affidavit.
“We make this PIL returnable on 30th July, 2025 for hearing. In the meantime, the petitioner may file a rejoinder affidavit dealing with the report,” its said.
The court has also directed the State Level Committee to be more proactive in dealing with applications for felling or lopping of tree branches.
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