HC bars Haryana govt from felling century-old trees to set up police station, police line

In the petition, the Trust raised a public cause under a resolution passed by Thaska gram panchayat in Sonipat District in 2023, wherein it was decided to allot two acres for the construction of a police station and five acres for a police line.

Trust counsel Harender Singh and Jasbir Mor told the HC that “the authorities are yet to execute the same, but the same will result in cutting of 150 trees standing thereon, which are said to be about 100 years old”.

Meanwhile, a report submitted by Sandeep Goyat, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Sonepat, reveals: “The present writ petition is not maintainable in its present form. However, it is submitted that after receiving the letter from DDPO, Sonipat, respondent No.10 along with the Sarpanch of the village Thaska inspected the spot and found that there are approximately 150 trees of Jaal (Salvadora oleoides) standing over there and those trees are of a century-year-old and the Jaal tree is a rare species which is the heritage of the village. There is no justification in cutting such a rare species of trees.”

Hearing the matter, the bench said, “From the report of the Deputy Conservator of Forest, it is obvious that on the land in question, which has been allotted to construct a police station and police line, about 150 trees which are nearly a century old, are standing. The said affidavit further reveals that the benefit of the ‘Haryana Pran Vaayu Devta Pension Scheme’ is being extended concerning the said trees. However, execution of the said scheme has been put on hold due to a dispute between the parties.”

The bench added that it is obvious that about 150 trees, which are a century old, stand on the land allotted to construct a police station and a police line.

On perusing the photographs of the concerned area, the HC found that there is also a water body next to the trees.

The bench, thus, said, “We the people have suffered enough environmental degradation, and therefore, this Court would not like to be a part of any further deterioration. If the concerned authorities can construct the police station and the police line without cutting/damaging even a single tree out of the 150 trees standing on the spot, then the authorities are free to do so.”

The bench also said, “If the concerned authorities are unable to construct the police station and the police line without cutting the above trees, then they are restrained from cutting the trees and are well advised to find an alternative site for the construction of a police line and a police station.”

Disposing of the matter, the HC said, “Any violation of this order shall be viewed seriously.”