Gauhati High Court Halts Tree Felling for Aizawl Road Project

Court Orders Stop to Tree Cutting

Aizawl, April 22: The Gauhati High Court has mandated an immediate cessation of tree felling on the vacated land of the Assam Rifles, responding to a public interest litigation (PIL) that highlights extensive cutting of century-old trees for a proposed road expansion project.

A division bench, consisting of Justice Michael Zothankhuma and Justice Kaushik Goswami, issued the directive on April 20, instructing the State Government to ensure that no additional trees are removed in the area 'until further orders.'

The PIL was initiated by environmental activist Saizampuii Sailo, following a representation made on March 25 by the Centre for Environment and Social Justice (CESJ). The petition contests the planned widening of the main Aizawl road from Bazar Bungkawn to Treasury Square to a width of 14 meters, which would necessitate the removal of a considerable number of trees within the former Assam Rifles campus.

According to the petition, approximately 174 trees have been earmarked for removal out of over 400 identified in the vicinity. Many of these trees are nearly a century old, with at least one reportedly dating back to 1850. The petition argues that these trees serve as crucial carbon sinks in a rapidly urbanizing city, and their removal would result in more harm than good.

Recognizing the environmental implications, the bench noted that the removal of such ancient trees 'in the heart of Aizawl city' necessitates a thorough explanation from the State Government. The court also referenced media reports that emphasize the ecological significance of these trees.

The bench has issued a notice to the involved parties, with the case set to be revisited on May 18. Mizoram's Additional Advocate General P Bhattacharyya, representing the State, acknowledged the notice and assured the court that the Government would take the matter seriously and seek appropriate instructions.

Senior counsel TJ Mahanta, representing the petitioners, underscored the necessity for interim protection, arguing that no trees should be cut down without sufficient justification.

This interim ruling comes amid rising public dissent against the tree-cutting initiative. The State Government had previously paused the felling operations following protests led by CESJ and various civil society organizations, which have cautioned against significant ecological repercussions, including the loss of carbon storage and urban biodiversity.

Activists assert that over 100 trees had already been cut down prior to the suspension and have questioned whether merely widening the road would effectively alleviate Aizawl's traffic issues, suggesting that the environmental costs could surpass the anticipated benefits.

The PIL is set to be heard again on May 18.