Aizawl: The Aizawl bench of the Gauhati High Court has directed the Mizoram government to temporarily halt the ongoing felling of trees in Aizawl’s Lammual area, which was recently vacated by the Assam Rifles.
The directive follows a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by environmental activist Siazampuii Sailo on behalf of the Centre for Environment and Social Justice (CESJ).
In a ruling issued on Monday, a division bench comprising Justice Michael Zothankhuma and Justice Kaushik Goswami noted media reports indicating that 174 out of 400 trees are being felled to pave the way for development projects within the Lammual area.
Many of these trees are believed to be over a century old.
The court also observed that the barracks on the vacated land were constructed in 1897 and have been designated as a heritage site.
The bench asked the state to justify the felling of trees in the city’s heart before the next hearing on May 18.
After hearing submissions from Additional Advocate General P. Bhattacharyya, representing the state, and advocate T.J. Mahanta, appearing for the petitioner, the court issued an interim order directing the government to halt the initiative until further notice.
The state government has been clearing the area to implement development projects, including road extensions between Treasury Square, where the Assembly House is located, and Bazar Bungkawn, one of the busiest corridors in the state capital.
The CESJ, led by activist Vanramchhuangi (also known as Ruatfela Nu), has voiced strong opposition to the project, citing significant environmental, ecological, and heritage concerns.
The group argued that the expansion would do little to alleviate traffic congestion and emphasised that the area serves as a rare urban habitat for wildlife.
The trees also act as crucial natural assets, collectively absorbing over 4,800 metric tons of carbon.
The issue has sparked widespread debate on social media, with some citizens backing the government’s modernisation plans, while others have applauded the CESJ for protecting the city’s natural heritage.
Last month, Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation (UD&PA) Minister K. Sapdanga announced that work on the vacated land would begin on March 17 to tackle persistent traffic issues.
He noted that an advisory committee, headed by Chief Minister Lalduhoma and comprising political parties, NGOs, and church leaders, was formed to ensure the strategic use of the land vacated by the Assam Rifles.
He also said that while some structures will be preserved for their historical significance, others with no heritage value are slated for demolition to make way for development projects, including road extensions and a massive multi-purpose complex that will feature a 2,000-capacity auditorium to be named “Vanapa Hall.”