SHILLONG, Aug 14: The High Court of Meghalaya has expressed happiness that afforestation in the areas around the Shillong Peak Ropeway Cable Car project is possible.
The court made the observation while hearing a public interest litigation against alleged indiscriminate and large-scale felling of trees in the Lawsohtun area of East Khasi Hills. It transpires that the large-scale deforestation was for the Shillong Peak Ropeway Cable Car project.
The government argued that deforestation had been authorised under the relevant law by the central government.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh had appointed Advocate General Amit Kumar and Senior Advocate Kaustav Paul as Special Officers of the Court to visit the area and file a report, with regard to the afforestation which could be carried out around the Ropeway Cable Car project area.
The Special Officers have already made a visit and submitted their report, the court noted.
“It is heartening to hear from them that afforestation in the area around the project is possible,” the court said.
The court directed the special officers to file a report while adjourning the hearing till September 2.
