AIZAWL, April 22: The Gauhati High Court has directed the Mizoram government to temporarily halt tree felling at Lammual in Aizawl, a site recently vacated by the Assam Rifles, pending further hearing.
A division bench comprising Michael Zothankhuma and Kaushik Goswami issued the interim order while hearing a public interest litigation, taking note of reports that 174 out of nearly 400 trees at the site were being cut for proposed development work. The court observed that several of these trees are believed to be over a century old.
The bench also flagged the historical significance of the area, noting that structures within the barracks date back to 1897 and have been designated as heritage buildings. It sought an explanation from the state government on the rationale behind removing century-old trees from a central urban location.
After hearing submissions from Additional Advocate General P Bhattacharyya for the state and advocate T J Mahanta for the petitioner, the court restrained further felling until further orders. The matter has been listed for hearing on May 18.
The PIL was filed by environmental activist Siazampuii Sailo on behalf of the Centre for Environment and Social Justice.
The order comes amid plans announced by Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Minister K Sapdanga to initiate infrastructure work at the site, including widening the stretch between Treasury Square and Bazar Bungkawn to ease traffic congestion.
A committee led by Chief Minister Lalduhoma has been constituted to oversee utilisation of the land, with representation from political parties, civil society groups and church bodies.
The state government has indicated that parts of the site will be developed into a public space while retaining select heritage structures such as the Quarter Guard and Loch House, with other non-heritage buildings proposed for demolition under the redevelopment plan.
