HC directs KMC to file affidavit on tree-felling at Theatre Rd park
Times of India | 26 December 2025
Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court bench of Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen directed the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) to file an affidavit on the complaints of illegal tree felling at McPherson Square on Theatre Road within 15 days.
The court was hearing a PIL filed by the environment action group PUBLIC regarding the trees that were cut for the "beautification" of the park. The private company responsible for the park's upkeep, having taken it over from the civic body, denied cutting the trees and claimed that KMC felled them.
The civic body remained silent on the issue and directed the private body to plant 25 large trees.
The forest department, whose permission is mandatory for any tree felling in the urban area, stated that permission was neither sought for cutting trees in McPherson Square nor granted for any tree to be cut in the park.
PUBLIC approached the court after the tree cutting was noticed at the park, located directly opposite Shakespeare Sarani Police Station. The organisation also highlighted constructions there, including permanent staff quarters, a concrete walking/jogging track, and a large area where a fountain is proposed.
Directing KMC to file an affidavit in a fortnight, the court listed the matter immediately after the winter vacation. The court also asked the petitioner to file a supplementary affidavit along with relevant documents to show that the land in question is a public park.
Meanwhile, PUBLIC wrote to the 1st Appellate Authority (RTI/KMC parks & square dept) regarding the inadequate reply to an RTI application filed by it on McPherson Square on Nov 24.
While PUBLIC sought information on the felling of trees and the agreement to hand over the park to a private body, PUBLIC co-founder Pradeep Kakkar pointed out that the public interest matter brought to the civic authority's attention by an organisation with which KMC has had many years of constructive partnership was met with "quibbles on words and legality", leaving the impression that KMC is apparently treating this as an adversarial matter and a cover-up. "We are copying this letter to the municipal commissioner as well," Kakkar wrote.