Punjab Government: Protection Of Trees Act 2026 Placed In Abeyance

• The Punjab government has placed the Punjab Protection of Trees Act, 2026, in abeyance.
• This decision follows the Punjab and Haryana High Court's characterization of the law as "draconian."
• The court criticized the Act for allowing tree felling upon payment, warning it could harm the state.
• The state government has committed to not proceeding under the new Act and will abide by court guidelines.
• The Punjab and Haryana High Court will issue detailed guidelines for tree felling in both states.

With the Punjab Protection of Trees Act 2026 abeyance now confirmed, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has announced its intention to formulate and issue detailed guidelines that will govern all future tree felling activities across both Punjab and Haryana.

The Punjab government has formally notified the Punjab and Haryana High Court of its decision to place the Punjab Protection of Trees Act, 2026, in abeyance. This announcement, made on Monday, signifies that the controversial legislation will not be implemented while its provisions undergo reconsideration. The state's commitment to halt proceedings under the new enactment and adhere to judicial directives was conveyed during the ongoing proceedings in the case of Praneet Kaur v State of Punjab and Others. This move comes after significant judicial pressure for a re-evaluation of the law's framework.

The government indicated its willingness to revisit the legislation, taking into account the High Court's recent observations and decisions. This development means that for the foreseeable future, the 2026 Act, which aimed to regulate tree felling, will remain inactive. The state's assurance to the court underscores a pivotal moment for environmental policy in Punjab, as the legal landscape surrounding tree protection shifts back to judicial oversight rather than the recently enacted statutory provisions.

The High Court's intervention was prompted by strong reservations expressed by a bench comprising Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor. Just last week, the judges characterized the Punjab Protection of Trees Act, 2026, as "draconian," raising serious concerns about its potential impact. Their primary critique centered on a provision within the law that permitted the felling of trees upon the payment of a fee, a mechanism the bench warned could lead to the "destroy[ing] the State" by facilitating widespread deforestation. This judicial assessment led to a direct request for the state government to reconsider the entire legislation.

This recent scrutiny builds upon earlier significant directives issued by the court in December 2025. At that time, the High Court had passed comprehensive orders in response to a series of public interest litigation petitions (PILs). These petitions specifically challenged a proposal to fell 251 trees located in the Mohali district. Consequently, the court mandated that no tree could be cut anywhere in Punjab without its explicit prior permission, a directive that remains in effect until further judicial orders are issued. Since this ruling, the court has received a substantial number of applications from parties seeking permission for tree felling activities, highlighting the practical implications of its ongoing oversight. Furthermore, the Haryana government also committed last week to re-examining its own draft legislation concerning tree felling, aligning with the court's observations and indicating a broader regional impact of these judicial pronouncements.

With the Punjab Protection of Trees Act 2026 abeyance now confirmed, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has announced its intention to formulate and issue detailed guidelines that will govern all future tree felling activities across both Punjab and Haryana. This judicial framework is expected to fill the regulatory void created by the suspension of the 2026 Act and will supersede its provisions. The court's proactive stance ensures that environmental protection remains a priority, even as legislative reconsideration is underway.

This development means that any entity or individual planning tree felling in Punjab must continue to seek and obtain prior permission directly from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The court's forthcoming guidelines will provide the definitive legal and procedural framework, effectively establishing the judiciary as the primary authority for regulating tree removal in the region. This ongoing judicial oversight, stemming from the Punjab environmental law challenge, underscores the critical role the High Court plays in safeguarding ecological balance and ensuring responsible land development practices. The Punjab tree felling law stayed status means that the court's detailed guidelines will be the operative legal standard.

Lawyers advising on land development or infrastructure projects in Punjab must note that the Punjab Protection of Trees Act, 2026, is currently in abeyance. Clients should continue to seek prior permission from the Punjab and Haryana High Court for any tree felling activities, as the court will issue detailed guidelines, overriding the provisions of the suspended Act.

Source: Original reporting via legal news outlets.