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.
In a report filed before the division bench of Meghalaya High Court Chief Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh, the State government said that the Tourism department has obtained appropriate approval for forest clearance from the Central government.
The state said that the Central government has provided compensatory land for afforestation. However, the petitioner’s counsel K Paul objected that the land is situated in another district and may not serve the purpose of improving the environment in Lawsohtun.
The court allowed the petitioner to peruse the report in detail and file a rejoinder affidavit.
Meanwhile, the court also heard a report of the three-member committee headed by the Chief Conservator of Forests (T) to implement its orders to stop illegal felling of trees.
“Pima facie it appears from the report that the Committee has been considering applications for felling or lopping off branches of trees with more attention upon scrutiny of all details,” the court said.
The PIL is scheduled for July 30, 2025.
