High court seeks Punjab’s response on plea against tree felling at Fatehgarh Sahib court complex

The PIL, filed by Fatehgarh Sahib resident Harshpreet Singh through advocate Amrik Singh, claims that nearly 50 green trees, some over 50 years old, are being cut “without any legal sanction, environmental clearance, or adherence to the Tree Preservation Policy for Non-Forest Government and Public Lands – 2024” framed by the Punjab government.

“The petitioner visited the Court Complex at Fatehgarh Sahib and observed that approximately fifty green trees are located within the premises. Some of these trees are over fifty years old and serve as vital habitats for numerous species of birds,” said Advocate Amrik Singh.

According to the petition, more than 10 trees have already been felled, and the cutting “continues unchecked” despite repeated appeals to the authorities. “Despite repeated appeals, no effective steps have been taken by the respondents to prevent further cutting of trees,” said advocate Singh.

The plea further alleges that the entire cluster of trees is being removed “without any legal sanction or due process, which is a matter of grave concern and public interest.”

Citing the state’s Tree Preservation Policy, 2024, the petitioner argues that the act is in complete violation of the rules. “The policy makes it mandatory to cut trees only after securing funds for compensatory plantation,” the plea states, adding that no such preparatory exercise or environmental impact assessment has been done.

The petition also warns of severe environmental consequences. “The indiscriminate and large-scale cutting of green trees from a single location will severely disrupt the ecological balance and natural cycles, which are essential for maintaining environmental stability,” it says.

The petitioner links deforestation to natural calamities, noting that Punjab is already experiencing widespread flooding. “Such irresponsible and insensitive actions towards nature are known to contribute directly to natural calamities such as landslides, cloudbursts, and floods,” the plea reads.

The petition claims that permissions from environmental bodies like the National Green Tribunal were not obtained and that there is no plan for compensatory plantation. “The removal of these trees is bound to cause irreparable and irreversible damage to the local ecosystem and biodiversity,” it adds.

The petitioner has sought directions to stop further cutting of trees, compensate for those already removed, and initiate action for violation of environmental norms.

The matter will be heard next on September 29.

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