Shillong, Feb. 8 -- The Meghalaya High Court has pulled up the illegal felling of trees in East Khasi Hills District, stating that the state government failed to provide any evidence justifying the tree cutting.

The court emphasized the importance of environmental protection and ordered the Meghalaya government to replant trees of similar species in the affected areas.

"If any felling of trees has already been done irregularly or illegally it is irreversible," the court stated.

"We direct that wherever such felling has taken place, the respondents will take steps to plant trees more or less of the same type or description, so as to restore the ecology of the area," added the court.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji ...