Tue Feb 24 12:08:58 UTC 2026: ### High Court Addresses Illegal Tree Felling in Mohali Amid Land Dispute

The Story:
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a notice regarding the alleged illegal felling of 961 fully grown trees in Sector 69, Mohali. The application, filed in connection with a pending Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning green cover in Mohali, alleges that the trees were cut down on land owned by the Working Friends Cooperative House Building Society after the PIL was initially heard on February 17, 2026. The court has scheduled a hearing for the matter alongside the main PIL on March 5, 2026.

The dispute centers around claims by the applicant’s counsel that the land has been sold to private builders, while the society contends that the land is private property designated for a residential colony approved by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) since 1992. The society claims that land acquisition proceedings were quashed by the Supreme Court, and its members, many of whom are elderly, have been waiting decades to build on their plots.

Key Points:

  • 961 trees allegedly felled in Sector 69, Mohali.
  • The Working Friends Cooperative House Building Society claims ownership of the land for a residential colony.
  • Applicant alleges the land was sold to private builders.
  • Land acquisition proceedings were reportedly quashed by the Supreme Court.
  • The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued notice to GMADA and the society, with a hearing set for March 5, 2026.

Key Takeaways:

  • The case highlights the ongoing conflict between development and environmental protection in rapidly urbanizing areas like Mohali.
  • The dispute underscores the complexities of land ownership and historical land acquisition proceedings.
  • The High Court’s intervention demonstrates its role in mediating environmental concerns and property rights.

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