Shillong, Sept 6: The Meghalaya High Court on Tuesday said that engagement of some experts is essential so as to regulate the entire process concerning trees in and around the city of Shillong.
Hearing a petition filed by advocate, K Paul (petitioner), the division bench headed by chief justice Dinesh Maheshwari enquired about the expertise available with the government of Meghalaya in its forest department.
“The response from the Divisional Forest Officer and Government Advocate has, prima facie, given an impression that engagement of some of the experts is essential so as to regulate the entire process concerning the trees in and around the city of Shillong, which is the first issue in this petition,” the bench stated in its order.
An affidavit of the Divisional Forest Officer, Khasi Hills (T) Division, Shillong was filed before the Court. However the bench stated that the broader issues as indicated on August 18 shall be taken up for consideration at the later stage.
In continuation of the submissions made on the last date, the petitioner, K Paul informed that he has talked with some of the experts working with the Botanical Survey of India, North Eastern Hill University and Agro-Forestry, ICAR, who have expressed their willingness to take up the tasks assigned to them in relation to this matter.
Paul further submitted that he would request at least two of the experts to remain present before the Court. In view of this, the bench has ordered the matter to be listed for hearing on Thursday and for further orders.
