Thousands of parrots face habitat loss in Indore:Trees at Regal Square cleared for felling; High Court plea challenges approval

The state government’s High Power Committee has granted permission to cut down trees inside the Police Control Room premises at Regal Square, where thousands of parrots have nested for years. Every morning and evening, large flocks of parrots fly in from distant areas and gather on these trees, creating a distinctive sight and loud chatter that draws attention from passers-by. High Court hearing likely on plea against order The High Court had earlier issued an interim order preventing the trees from being cut. Previously, permission for tree felling was granted by the Tree Officer, but the authority was later transferred to the High Power Committee. A petition seeking modification of the committee’s order has now been filed in the High Court and is expected to be heard soon. Advocate Abhinav Dhanotkar is representing the petitioner in the case. Metro construction noise affecting parrots Excavation work for the Metro project is underway inside the Control Room premises. According to the petition, heavy machinery operates even at night, generating significant noise that is disturbing the parrots and affecting their roosting behaviour. Interim stay on tree cutting remains in force Although the High Power Committee has approved the tree felling, the High Court’s interim stay remains in effect. The government is expected to place the committee’s recommendation before the court. The petitioner has also informed the court that a reply seeking changes to the order will be submitted. The next hearing is likely after the court’s vacation ends. Regal is the city’s main parrot roosting site Regal Square is considered the only location in the city where thousands of parrots gather on trees despite heavy traffic. Apart from the Shastri Bridge and Police Control Room area, there are few places in Indore where such large numbers of parrots can be seen together. Earlier, a large parrot colony also existed in the MTH compound, but the trees there were cut down for hospital construction. Green cover has declined over the past decade Large-scale tree felling has taken place across Indore over the last 10 years due to infrastructure projects. Petition challenges approval for tree felling The petition argues that the trees serve as a major habitat for parrots and that continued Metro construction activity around them is already causing disruption. The petitioner has asked the High Court to revise the High Power Committee’s order permitting the trees to be cut.