Trees felled for drainage work at Paona Keithel
Incensed Forest Dept set to sue PWD
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 19 2025: The Forest Department has vowed to take stringent legal action against the Public Works Department (PWD) for illegally felling trees at Paona Keithel.

The trees, planted in 2004 as part of the "Green Imphal City" initiative, were cut down without prior approval from the Forest Department, in violation of environmental regulations.

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.

The unauthorized action prompted an immediate response from the Forest Department, which detained two heavy machinery used in felling the trees.

Trees felled for drainage work at Paona Keithel

It is reported that two trees were felled yesterday, while the others were cut down in the days prior.

Upon receiving reports of unauthorized tree felling, a team of Forest officials conducted an inspection at Paona Keithel and detained two heavy machines used in the operation.

Speaking to the media, Sadar Hill Range Forest Officer Mangsatabam Jobit Meitei stated that the Forest Department had not granted any permission for felling trees at Paona Keithel.

He said that appropriate legal actions will be taken up against PWD officials involved in felling the trees as per Forest laws.

Saying that PWD sought permission for 'shifting of utility (relocation of public infrastructure)' in January this year and there was nothing about felling trees, he added that a show cause will be sent to the PWD.

Forest Beat Officer Hawaibam Thomson Khuman noted that 120 trees line the Paona Keithel stretch.

After learning of the initial felling of five trees, the Forest Department instructed the PWD to stop and avoid further tree cutting, he said.

However, the PWD defied these instructions and cut down two more trees prompting the Forest Department to act, he said.

Shopkeepers at Paona Keithel have also expressed dismay over the tree felling, especially at a time when the Government is promoting tree plantation drives.

They stated that the trees were planted by different departments such as Forest and Environment, MAHUD, PDA, Manipur Pollution Control Board in 2004 as part of Green Imphal initiative while Okram Ibobi was the Chief Minister.

Highlighting the loss of shade and aesthetic value, which impacts the market's environment, the shopkeepers urged the PWD to see if the drainage project can be implemented without felling the trees.

Meanwhile, the Central Forest Division has taken serious note of unauthorized tree felling by the Public Works Department (PWD) at Paona Keithel, within its jurisdiction.

The Division has promptly initiated measures to halt all illegal felling and trimming of trees conducted without prior approval from the competent authority, said a statement issued by Divisional Forest Officer/Central Forest Division Vikram Suresh Nadhe.

Following reports of the violations, Forest officials conducted a site inspection and confirmed that seven trees were felled without the mandatory permissions required under applicable Acts, Rules, and Guidelines.

Stating that these actions constitute a clear breach of environmental regulations designed to protect natural resources, it added that the Central Forest Division has issued a notice to the PWD, ordering an immediate cessation of all tree felling and trimming activities.