Shillong, July 30: The Meghalaya High Court has ordered an inspection of the area around Shillong Peak Ropeway Cable Car Project to assess the feasibility of carrying out compensatory afforestation for the project.
The court ordered state’s advocate general and the counsel of the petitioner of a public interest litigation (PIL) to carry out the feasibility study.
The PIL was filed by Geraldine G Shabong against large-scale felling of trees in Lawsohtun area to pave way for the project.
However, the state government has claimed that the deforestation was carried out after obtaining due permission from the Central government under the relevant Acts and rules.
The petitioner’s counsel argued that the government is duty-bound to effect compensatory afforestation when deforestation is done anywhere, but the afforestation result in Meghalaya is the lowest in the country.
The court was informed that the government is prepared to carry out afforestation work, but problems exist with regard to availability of land in the subject area.
“At the suggestion of learned counsel for the parties, we request the learned Advocate General and Mr Paul to identify a convenient day, visit the area and file a short report in this Court regarding the feasibility and possibility of carrying out afforestation work around the Ropeway Cable Car Project area,” the bench comprising chief justice IP Mukerji and justice W Diengdoh said in its order passed on Wednesday.
“The State government is directed to make all arrangements for their travel and for their brief stay, lunch and refreshments in a suitable government or other guest house or accommodation in or near the area,”it added.
The PIL has been listed for further hearing on August 14, 2025.
