Punjab and Haryana HC Bans Tree Felling Amid Alarm Over Shrinking Green Cover

The order comes against the backdrop of alarmingly low forest coverage in both states, approximately 3.67% in Punjab and 3.63% in Haryana of the total geographical area. File Photo.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has delivered an interim order with a temporary ban on the felling of trees across Punjab. According to experts, this move is a crucial judicial intervention to address the region’s severe ecological distress. The ban comes after public interest litigations that highlighted widespread violations of environmental safeguards and rampant tree cutting, prompting the court to step in to curb further destruction of green cover.

The order comes against the backdrop of alarmingly low forest coverage in both states, approximately 3.67% in Punjab and 3.63% in Haryana of the total geographical area. This is far below the National Forest Policy’s 33% target for ecological sustainability. The court’s decision seeks to affirm the constitutional balance between developmental planning and environmental protection.

Environmental specialists have long cautioned that diminishing green cover worsens air pollution, soil erosion, frequent dust storms, and climate vulnerabilities in the agrarian regions. The interim ban requires that any tree felling must be preceded by court permissions and appropriate afforestation reporting, aiming to ensure accountability and preservation.

Advocates for environmental justice have appreciated the court’s proactive stance. They call it timely and necessary given the increasing threats to air quality and ecological balance across northern India. The ruling also references cultural and traditional principles that highlight the sanctity of trees in local heritage, invoking teachings that encourage reverence for nature and protection of living trees.

While the temporary ban is linked to the next stage of judicial review, environmentalists believe it could spur governments in both states to pursue more sustainable land management practices and adopt innovative greening strategies that do not hinder development. Suggestions include expanding urban canopies, incentivising agroforestry on agricultural lands, and leveraging underutilised spaces such as rooftops and institutional grounds for tree planting.

According to legal observers, this interim order could set a precedent for judicial environmental activism in India’s courts, signalling greater scrutiny of policies that impact natural resources and community health.

Source: Hindustan Times