Shillong, Aug 10: The Meghalaya High Court on Monday disposed of a PIL seeking to stop tree felling in Lower New Colony, Laitumkhrah, holding the issue had been addressed through prior orders.
A division bench of Justice Hamarsan Thangkhiew and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh closed the petition filed by Geraldine G. Shabong observing that the court had already issued comprehensive directions over the past two years to regulate tree felling in the area.
The court recalled it had earlier directed the State to plant trees where illegal felling occurred, disclose pending applications, and keep approved-but-not-executed permissions in abeyance.
In April 2025 it had also ordered a three-member committee to scrutinize applications, but withdrew that direction in November 2025, saying existing laws and SOPs were sufficient.
During today’s hearing, the Advocate General told the court no special leave petition was pending in the Supreme Court against the November, 2025 order. The bench said with the state bound to follow rules and no further relief pending, it was closing the PIL.
