Indore Metro Project Clears Court as HC Mandates Bird-Safeguard Protocols for Tree Felling
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued a landmark environmental ruling on the Indore Metro Project, permitting the removal of trees at a key site while mandating strict bird-protection safeguards.
MP HC Allows Felling of 182 Trees at Rani Sarai for Indore Metro, Orders Bird Expert Oversight
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has declined to halt the felling of 182 trees at Rani Sarai for the expansion of the Indore metro station, ruling that it was bound by an earlier judicial decision on the alignment of the metro line. The court's refusal to issue a stay order means that tree removal can proceed, but only under conditions designed to protect wildlife. A key safeguard ordered by the bench was the requirement that all tree cutting and pruning must be conducted in phases under the supervision of at least two ornithologists or bird experts. The phased approach is designed to give birds currently roosting in those trees enough time to relocate to adjacent trees before their habitat is removed. The experts overseeing the work are expected to take particular care to account for nests, eggs, and chicks that may be present during the cutting season. Additionally, a wildlife rescue team equipped with nets is to be deployed at the site during tree removal operations. The court also directed that a compensatory plantation of 2,500 new trees be carried out as part of the environmental mitigation plan. The ruling reflects the court's attempt to balance urban infrastructure development needs with environmental and wildlife protection obligations in one of Madhya Pradesh's fastest-growing cities. [2]
MP High Court Disposes PIL Against Indore Metro Deforestation, Sets Strict Phased Felling Rules
A division bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, comprising Justice Subodh Abhyankar and Justice Jai Kumar Pillai, disposed of a public interest litigation challenging the felling of approximately 150 trees for the Indore Metro Project, while laying down strict procedural safeguards aimed at minimizing ecological impact. The bench explicitly barred the metro project authorities from cutting trees all at once or in a random, disorganized manner, insisting on a carefully phased approach at every stage of the operation. All felling and pruning activities must proceed under the participation of at least two certified ornithologists or bird experts throughout the process. The requirement for bird experts reflects the court's particular concern for the roosting bird populations currently dependent on those trees for shelter and nesting. Experts are required to monitor for nests, eggs, and chicks during pruning operations, and must work alongside a designated wildlife rescue team to ensure any displaced birds are safely handled. The court's order also included compensatory plantation requirements as part of the conditions attached to the project's environmental compliance plan. The case, Priyanshu Jain v. Union of India, was brought as a PIL against deforestation for the Indore Metro Project. The ruling attempts to strike a balance between Indore's rapidly expanding urban infrastructure and the need to protect its urban biodiversity, setting a precedent for how metro expansion and environmental concerns can be managed together. [3]