Chandigarh, Feb. 25 -- The Punjab and Haryana high court (HC) on Tuesday sought response from authorities on a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging felling of 900 trees in Sector 69 for a residential society.

The PIL by Mohali-based Environment Protection Society was taken up by the bench of chief justice Sheel Nagu and justice Sanjiv Berry and sought response from the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) and other respondents by March 5. However, the court declined to pass a stay order on felling of trees, a demand raised by the society.

The society has sought the direction to protect the forest as an 'urban forest' under the government of India's Nagar Van Yojna initiative. There are office buildings of the director,...