By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 30: The High Court of Meghalaya has asked Advocate General A. Kumar and counsel K. Paul to fix a convenient day to visit the Ropeway Cable Car Project area and file a short report on the “feasibility and possibility” of carrying out afforestation work there.
The court made the request while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Geraldine G. Shabong, alleging indiscriminate and large-scale felling of trees in the Lawsohtun area of the East Khasi Hills district.
The court said that on receipt of a proper report from the authorities concerned, it transpired that the deforestation activity was carried out after obtaining due permission from the Centre, under the relevant Act and rules, for the construction of the Shillong Peak Ropeway Cable Car Project at Raid Laban Reserve Forests and Raid Laban Forest by the state Tourism department.
“The petitioner may file a rejoinder to the report filed by the state government before the returnable date (August 14),” the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice I.P. Mukerji and Justice W. Diengdoh stated.
Paul, appearing for the petitioner, showed the high court a July 29 report of The Shillong Times and argued that the afforestation activity in Meghalaya is the lowest in the country, although compensatory afforestation is the duty of the state government.
“…the main submission on behalf of the petitioner is that when the Central government has authorised deforestation for the Shillong Peak Ropeway Cable Car Project and such activity has been carried out, there should be proper compensatory afforestation in the vicinity of the project and not in any distant place to make up any loss of ecological balance or loss in environmental elements,” the court said.
It cited the Advocate General as saying that the government is prepared to carry out afforestation work, but problems exist with regard to the availability of land in the subject area.
At the suggestion of counsel for the parties, the court requested Kumar and Paul to find a day to visit the area concerned and submit a report.
The state government was directed to arrange their travel, brief stay, and meals in a suitable government or other accommodation in or near the area.