Gauhati High Court Halts Tree Felling Amid Heritage Concerns in Aizawl

The Gauhati High Court's Aizawl bench has issued a directive to the Mizoram government, temporarily halting the felling of trees in Aizawl's Lammual area. This decision emerges amid plans to redevelop land previously occupied by the Assam Rifles, which features heritage structures from 1897.

A division bench, consisting of Justice Michael Zothankhuma and Justice Kaushik Goswami, intervened following a Public Interest Litigation by environmental activist Siazampuii Sailo. These century-old trees are reportedly being cut down for development purposes. However, the court acknowledged the heritage significance and demanded a justification for their removal.

An advisory committee, headed by the Chief Minister, is tasked with strategically transforming this area while maintaining its heritage. Future infrastructure plans include road widening to ease traffic, but the project remains on hold until the next hearing on May 18.