Madhya Pradesh High Court: In a suo motu writ petition registered regarding the reported illegal chopping of 488 trees near Bhopal, the Division Bench of Sanjeev Sachdeva, CJ., and Vinay Saraf, J., directed the Public Works Department (“PWD”) to file an affidavit indicating how many trees had been cut for the subject project and how many trees are further sought to be cut.
Background
The Court took suo motu cognizance based on an article published in the Times of India, Delhi, on 29-10-2025, reporting that 488 trees had been axed by the PWD near Bhopal without permission from the National Green Tribunal (“NGT”) appointed body. The report further indicated that no permission was taken from the State Government constituted nine-member Committee (“Special Committee”) or from the Tree Officer. Apparently, permission was granted by the Additional District Magistrate, Raisen, for the felling of trees.
Analysis
The Court remarked that the article displayed a shocking state of affairs wherein 488 trees were sought to be axed despite the NGT declining permission for such an action and repeated orders by the Court.
Accordingly, the Court issued notice to the State, including the PWD.
The Court directed the PWD to file an affidavit indicating how many trees had been cut for the subject project and how many trees are further sought to be cut. PWD shall also indicate whether permission was obtained from the Special Committee as per the directions issued by the NGT and/or the Tree Officer.
Furthermore, the Court directed that till the next date of hearing, no tree shall be felled or pruned, except in accordance with the permission granted by the Special Committee and the Tree Officer under the Madhya Pradesh Protection of Trees Act (Urban), 2001.
The matter was further listed for 04-11-2025.
[In reference (Suo Moto) v. State of Madhya Pradesh, WP No. 42565 of 2025, decided on 29-10-2025]
Advocates who appeared in this case:
For the petitioner: Amicus Curiae Amal Pushp Shroti
For the respondent: Deputy Advocate General Abhijeet Awasthi and Government Advocate Anubhav Jain