From Our Correspondent
TURA, March 30: The Centre for Environment Protection and Rural Development (CEPARD) has strongly condemned the reckless destruction of forests, calling it a crisis that extends beyond environmental harm.
Their statement comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent assertion that tree felling is graver than taking a human life.
“This is a wake-up call that should shake us to our roots. It sets a legal benchmark, making it clear that those who treat nature as their cash cow without considering the long-term consequences must face the music. Forests are not just clusters of trees; they are the backbone of our ecosystem, shielding us from climate extremes, nurturing biodiversity, and sustaining countless livelihoods,” said CEPARD.
Meghalaya has witnessed environmental degradation for decades, with rampant timber smuggling, forest fires due to slash-and-burn farming and infrastructure development taking a toll. The worsening situation has made climate change a pressing issue, though often discussed only in passing.
“The unlawful chopping down of trees, especially in ecologically fragile regions, is akin to killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. It invites soil degradation, erratic rainfall, and the loss of precious wildlife. Meghalaya, known for its lush greenery, stands at a crossroads—either uphold environmental integrity or let deforestation open the floodgates to disaster. The Supreme Court’s fine of Rs 1 lakh per illegally felled tree is a step in the right direction, ensuring that those who break the law don’t get off scot-free,” CEPARD remarked.
CEPARD welcomed the court’s iron-fisted approach, as it sends an unmistakable message—those who plunder nature will be made to pay through the nose.
“Deforestation is a double-edged sword, slicing through both environmental stability and economic well-being. While some may see short-term profits, in the grand scheme of things, it’s a penny-wise, pound-foolish strategy. The destruction of tree cover fuels climate change, exacerbates air pollution, and leads to rising temperatures that make life unbearable. Without forests, our communities are sitting ducks for natural calamities, facing increased droughts, floods, and landslides,” they added.
Meanwhile, CEPARD has urged authorities to act decisively, fully implement the Forest Conservation Act, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and crack down on illegal logging. However, they stressed that penalties alone would not suffice.
“Sustainable forestry, large-scale afforestation and community awareness must go hand in hand to heal the wounds inflicted upon our environment. Protecting forests is not just a matter of legal compliance—it’s about ensuring that future generations are not left high and dry,” said CEPARD.