Madhya Pradesh HC halts tree transplantation, cites survival issue:Issues notice to officials demands photographs of transplanted trees

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has taken a strict stance on tree cutting in Bhopal. The court has imposed a complete ban on tree cutting and transplantation. On Thursday, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf heard the case. The High Court has taken suo moto cognisance of the case involving the cutting of 488 trees in Bhopal. In the case, it was mentioned that the news was published in Dainik Bhaskar on November 17. In another railway project, more than 8000 trees have already been cut in the capital, with 488 remaining. The court, considering this a serious environmental threat, issued directions to immediately stop it. Notably, through published news on November 17 and 20, intervener Harpreet Singh Gupta stated that instead of transplanting trees, they are being eliminated by cutting off their large branches and parts. It was reported that despite court orders, the cutting continues and the way trees are being transported, there is no possibility of their survival. The High Court was informed that thousands of trees are being cut in other railway projects as well. During the hearing, it also came to light that Madhya Pradesh does not even have a policy for tree transplantation, yet departments have given permission to cut a large number of trees in the name of ‘shifting’. The court strongly objected during the hearing, stating that trunks without branches cannot survive when planted elsewhere – this is not ‘transplantation’ but direct cutting. The High Court expressed deep displeasure in the matter and issued notices to the Principal Secretary of the Legislative Assembly Secretariat, Bhopal and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Department, ordering them to appear personally at the next hearing. Reportedly, the court also said that photographs of trees transplanted so far will have to be presented in court. The court clearly stated that now officials will have to come forward and answer in person, not based on files. The next hearing of the case has been scheduled for November 26.