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Madhya Pradesh HC Halts Tree Work in Bhopal, Summons 7 Officials Over Alleged Illegal Felling

The bench demanded GPS-tagged satellite proof to verify disputed claims of tree transplantation.

Overview

  • The court barred any cutting, pruning, transporting or transplanting of trees in Bhopal without prior permission and listed the case for November 26.
  • The state said the district collector approved transplantation of 448 trees, reported that 253 were transplanted, and pledged to plant ten times the number that could not be moved.
  • Intervenor Nitin Saxena submitted photographs contesting transplantation claims, prompting the court to order satellite imagery with GPS details.
  • Photographs before the bench showed trunks replanted without branches or leaves, and the state acknowledged it has no tree-plantation policy.
  • A newspaper report cited in court said 488 trees were felled for a PWD road project without required approvals, and a separate proposal to remove 244 trees for residential complexes was flagged.