APHC010270472023 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI WP(PIL) NO: 131 of 2023 Bench Sr.No:-6 [3584] Asmad Mohammed Shaik Sha ...Petitioner Vs. The State of AP and others ...Respondent(s) ********** CORAM : THE CHIEF JUSTICE LISA GILL SRI JUSTICE CHALLA GUNARANJAN DATE : 7th October, 2026. Present : Advocate for Petitioner: Mr. Basheer Ahmed Advocate(s) for Respondent(s): Mrs. S. Pranathi, ld. Special GP LISA GILL, CJ: In this writ petition, filed by way of public interest, basic grievance raised is that there is no proper policy for reallocation or translocation of trees which are cut down indiscriminately. It is prayed that respondents be directed to relocate or translocate trees rather than cut/fell them when the area is required for developmental purposes, in order to ensure sustainable development. 2. Learned Special Government Pleader has referred to memo filed on behalf of respondent No.4. She submits that pursuant to order dated 18.12.2024, passed in this writ petition, Committee under Chairmanship of Principal CCF (Research) was constituted on 10.03.2025, with regard to p. 2 HCJ & CGRJ translocation of trees while executing Government funded projects in Andhra Pradesh. 3. Drafting Sub-Committee was constituted on 23.06.2025 to finalise the recommendations, under Chairmanship of Dr. A. Muthu Kumar, Scientist-F (ICFRE-IWST) with members drawn from line departments such as Horticulture, A.P. Greening Corporation, and other concerned agencies. Drafting Sub-Committee considered the following points: “a) Suggestive and implementable measures to address indiscriminate tree felling, with a view to safeguarding ecology and environmental sustainability. b) Feasibility aspects of tree translocation, including technical, financial, and survival parameters. While formulating policy recommendations, the Committee was requrested to keep in view the extant Acts and Rules, including the Andhra Pradesh WALTA Act and the Tree Transplantation Policy, 2020 of the Government of Delhi” 4. G.O.Ms.No.17, Environment and Forests (Sec.VI) Dept., dated 04.05.2026, was issued constituting Tree Protection Advisory Committee (TPAC) with following members. 1. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force, A.P., Mangalagiri Chairman 2. Joint Secretary/ Additional Commissioner O/o the Chief Commissioner of Land Administration, A.P., Mangalagiri Member 3. Additional Director of Municipal Administration, O/o. the Commissioner & Directorate of Municipal Administration, Member p. 3 HCJ & CGRJ A.P., Rayapudi. 4. Additional Commissioner, Panchyat Raj, O/o the Commissioner, Panchyat Raj & Rural Developmetn, A.P., Tadepalli Member 5. Additional Director of Agriculture, O/o the Commissioner of Agriculture, A.P., Guntur Member 6. Superintendent Engineer (R&B), O/o the Engineer-in-Chief, Roads and Buildings Department, A.P., Vijayawada Member 7. Superintendent Engineer (Irrigation), O/o the Engineer-in- Chief, Irrigation Department, A.P., Vijayawada Member 8. Botanist or an independent scientist of known reputation nominated by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force, A.P., Mangalagiri Member 9. District Forest Officer concerned Member 10. Representative of the Infrastructure Project concerned Member 5. Report dated 05.08.2025 was submitted by PCCF & HoFF detailing the measures to decrease felling of trees for execution of Government-funded projects in Andhra Pradesh. 6. Tree Translocation Manual – Scientific Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) which elaborates tree translocation by way of Scientific Planning, Execution, Monitoring and Evaluation of tree translocation, it is submitted, has been prepared with expertise and scientific inputs. This manual as of now has been printed and shall be released to all stakeholder Departments, Collectors and private players who are involved in Government projects where there is necessity of translocation of trees for developmental purposes. Training of officers of the stakeholder departments, Representatives of District Collectors, Forest Officials, etc. would also be conducted at Andhra Pradesh Forest Academy, Rajamahendravam. Audio- Visual Training Manual will also be provided to stakeholders. Standard Operating Procedure and contact numbers for tree translocation will be made p. 4 HCJ & CGRJ available in Forest Department website for easy access to all stakeholders and general public. 7. During the course of arguments, learned counsel for respondents agrees that a dedicated toll free number and an email shall also be provided for submission of any complaints etc. by general public which would be considered by the authority to be nominated for this purpose. It is submitted that concrete steps have been taken; present proceedings may thus be closed. 8. Learned counsel for petitioner expresses satisfaction that apposite measures have indeed been taken, proceedings, thus, at this stage may be closed. 9. Keeping in view of facts and circumstances as above, the positive steps taken by official respondents for relocation/translocation of trees, present proceedings are thus closed with a direction to competent authority to ensure that the measures and guidelines as descried be made operational and be strictly adhered to. Writ Petition is disposed of accordingly. No costs. Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, also stand(s) disposed of accordingly. LISA GILL, CJ. CHALLA GUNARANJAN, J. SSN Whether the order is Speaking/Reasoned : Yes / No Whether the order is Reportable : Yes / No