Chandigarh, Feb 23: A legal challenge against the removal of nearly 1,000 trees in Mohali has been moved to the “urgent” list of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The PIL alleges that 961 mature trees in Sector 69 are under threat from heavy machinery, despite a standing judicial order that restricts tree cutting throughout the state.
During the hearing on Monday, the petitioner’s counsel urged the court to grant a status quo order to prevent the further movement of earth-moving equipment. He stated that the local community intends for the area to be maintained as a natural forest rather than cleared for development.
Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry scrutinized the evidence presented, specifically the photographs showing machinery at the site. The Bench asserted that the exact date of such visual evidence is critical. In response, the counsel declared that he could certify the photographs were taken on February 18.
“No, we don’t know when these photographs were clicked,” the court observed during the exchange, though it ultimately agreed to hear the arguments in full on Tuesday. The Chief Justice affirmed that the existing ban on tree felling should serve as a significant deterrent to any unauthorized activity.
This latest litigation adds to a series of legal battles involving environmental preservation in Mohali. Previous petitions have highlighted concerns over the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority’s practice of uprooting mature trees for infrastructure expansion. The High Court had earlier maintained that no trees should be axed on non-forest public land without first obtaining court approval.
