Penalty for cutting down trees without permission
PWD made to plant 50 saplings all over Imphal
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 12 2025: Departing from its earlier announcement that it would sue the Public Works Department (PWD) for cutting down seven trees at Paona Keithel while constructing the drainage system, the Forest Department has instead made PWD plant 50 saplings as penalty.

The PWD had cut down the trees during the construction of a drainage system at Paona Keithel.

The trees were planted in 2004 as part of the Green Imphal City Mission.

As punishment for felling the trees without approval, the Forest Department had made the PWD plant 50 saplings in various parts of Imphal city, said sources.

Penalty for cutting down trees without permission

While the PWD has been made to plant the saplings, it has also been instructed to ensure the survival and growth of the saplings, added the sources.

The Forest Department is further taking up steps to impose a fine on the PWD after calculating the damage, said the sources.

On September 19, the Forest Department had announced that strict legal action would be taken up against PWD for felling seven trees at Paona Keithel while constructing the drainage.

The trees were cut down without taking due approval from the authority concerned.

Reports say that seven mature trees along the footpaths of Paona Keithel were felled to facilitate a drainage project by PWD without obtaining due permission from the competent authority.

As information of the trees being felled reached the Forest Department, its officials had swung into action and rushed to Paona Keithel, inspected the area and detained two heavy machines of the PWD .

Of the seven trees felled, two were cut down on September 19 while the others were felled earlier.

Back on September 19, the Sadar Hills Range Forest Officer had stated that the Forest Department had not granted any permission for felling trees at Paona Keithel and added that appropriate legal action will be taken up.

The Central Forest Division had also issued a notice to the PWD, ordering an immediate stop to all tree felling activities as it violated environmental regulations.