Court resumes hearing on felling of weak trees in city

SHILLONG: The High Court of Meghalaya on Thursday resumed its hearing into the matter of cutting weak tress in the city.
During the hearing, the petitioner appearing in person alleged certain discrepancies in the reports of the Advisory Committee and that of the Commissioner.
The Court observed that they have minutely examined the report of the Advisory Committee as also the report of the Commissioner and have heard the petitioner in person and also the Government Advocate.
“In partial modification of the earlier orders passed in this matter, the trees for which the Advisory Committee in its report dated 11.09.2017 has opined for felling or cutting [except the trees marked No.4/5, 4/6, 5/3, 7/16, 7/17, 7/18, 9/5, 9/8 and 10/3], may be taken up for further examination by the officials of the Forest Department of the Government of Meghalaya and thereafter, if a final opinion is reached that those trees are required to be felled, appropriate action in that regard may be taken,” the Court said.
The Court also added that the logs and all related parts of the trees after felling shall remain in the custody of the Receiver of the Court and therefore, any process of felling or cutting of trees shall be carried out after due information to the Receiver, who shall prepare the requisite inventory.
The Court however added that the order shall not apply for trees marked as 4/5, 4/6, 5/3, 7/16, 7/17, 7/18, 9/5, 9/8 and 10/3 at present.
In regard to these trees, the Court permitted the petitioner to file further affidavits and objections, if any; and appropriate orders in regard to the trees shall be passed on the next date.
The Court also made it clear that apart from the reports of the Commissioner and the Advisory Committee, the concerned officials of the government of Meghalaya and forest department would be required to make a complete survey and make a specific report to the Court if any other action was required in relation to any other tree in the city of Shillong.
The matter has been listed for hearing on September 22.