Shillong, Aug. 15 -- The High Court of Meghalaya has welcomed the possibility of carrying out afforestation in areas surrounding the Shillong Peak Ropeway Cable Car project, where large-scale tree felling had earlier sparked public concern.

The observation came during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging indiscriminate deforestation in the Lawsohtun area of East Khasi Hills for the ropeway project. The state government informed the court that the tree felling had been authorised by the central government under relevant laws.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh had earlier appointed Advocate General Amit Kumar and Senior Advocate Kaustav Paul as Special Offic...