AMSTAR LYNGDOH Vs. STATE OF MEGHALAYA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) PETITIONER and the local people of Shillong town at large have been trying to protect the ecology of Shillong by ventilating their grievances at various forms and levels, but to no avail. Hence this petition in the nature of Public Interest Litigation (PIL for short ).

(2.) MANDAMUS has been sought for in this PIL petition for a direction to the respondent Nos. 1 and 2 to immediately stop all the activities including construction in the Lawsohtun area, Shillong and also for a direction to the authorities to restore the forest to its pre 1998 status i. e. to restore it to the Raid Laban for better management of the forest cover so as to preserve and protect the water catchment area of Shillong as per custom and practice prevailing in the area.

(3.) HEARD Mr. R. Kar, learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr. N. D. Chullai, learned senior Government Advocate, Meghalaya for the respondent No. 1 and Mr. S. C. Shyam, learned Central Government Counsel for the Union of India (respondent No. 2 ).