30-40 Yrs Old Trees Cut! Gauhati High Court Seeks Mizoram Govt's Response On Steps To Curb Menace Of Tree Felling

The Gauhati High Court recently directed the Mizoram government to apprise it about the measures taken or proposed to be taken by it for curbing the menace of felling of trees in Aizawl as well as in other villages of the State.

The division bench of Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice Michael Zothankhuma observed,

“…the felling of trees in Aizawl as well as villages such as Ailawng and Reiek is going on till date without any check. It is also noticed that recently a road is being constructed in Ailawng area where big trees aging about 30-40 years have also been cut by the concerned contractors but there is no clarity that any permission from the State or the authorities concerned for felling of trees has been given or not.”

The Court was hearing a PIL raising a pertinent issue that many trees within the city of Aizawl as well as in and around, are being felled indiscriminately.

The State authorities in their additional affidavit filed before the Court mentioned that the State of Mizoram, in the year 1996, had issued a notification in the Official Gazette, under Section 15(1) of Mizo District (Forest) Act, 1955 Act, thereby restraining the general public from cutting trees in Ailawng and Reiek and other villages.

It was further submitted that in the year 2017, the State Government issued another notification whereby guidelines for felling and removal of dead, dying and wind fallen trees which are dangerous to life and property were given.

The Court remarked that in the affidavit dated September 04, 2024, filed by the authorities, the State has failed to disclose what strategy is going to be adopted for stopping the felling of trees by the public as well as the persons engaged in the construction activities.

“Learned counsel appearing for the State is directed to file a detailed affidavit in respect of the measures taken by the State Government or proposed to be taken by the State Government for curbing the menace of felling of trees in Aizawl as well as in above referred two and other villages of the State of Mizoram,” the Court said.

Case Title: In Re Indiscriminate Felling of Trees, Aizawl City v. State of Mizoram & 6 Ors.

Case No.: PIL/7/2021

Click Here To Read/Download Order