Tamil NaduEnvironment
Madras High Court halts rosewood felling on private lands
The Madras High Court has ordered state authorities not to permit felling or removal of rosewood trees on private lands until a writ petition challenging the repeal of a state conservation law is disposed of. The court questioned the logic behind the repeal, noting that rosewood is a rare species endemic to southern India.
The Madras High Court has directed state authorities not to grant permission for the felling or removal of rosewood trees on private lands until a writ petition challenging the repeal of the Tamil Nadu Rosewood Trees (Conservation) Act, 1994, and the Tamil Nadu Rosewood Trees (Conservation) Rules, 1995, is disposed of.
In an order dated August 14, 2026, a bench of Justice N. Sathish Kumar and Justice K. Rajasekar said the reasons for recommending the repeal of the 1994 Act defied logic, as the original Act itself indicated that rosewood was a rare species endemic to southern India and almost impossible to regenerate except by natural growth.
The court was hearing a writ petition challenging G.O. (Ms.) No. 88 issued by the Environment, Climate Change and Forests department, which appears to have recommended or effected the repeal of the conservation law and rules. The interim order will remain in effect until the petition is finally decided.
Tamil NaduEnvironment
Madras High Court halts rosewood felling on private lands
The Madras High Court has ordered state authorities not to permit felling or removal of rosewood trees on private lands until a writ petition challenging the repeal of a state conservation law is disposed of. The court questioned the logic behind the repeal, noting that rosewood is a rare species endemic to southern India.
The Madras High Court has directed state authorities not to grant permission for the felling or removal of rosewood trees on private lands until a writ petition challenging the repeal of the Tamil Nadu Rosewood Trees (Conservation) Act, 1994, and the Tamil Nadu Rosewood Trees (Conservation) Rules, 1995, is disposed of.
In an order dated August 14, 2026, a bench of Justice N. Sathish Kumar and Justice K. Rajasekar said the reasons for recommending the repeal of the 1994 Act defied logic, as the original Act itself indicated that rosewood was a rare species endemic to southern India and almost impossible to regenerate except by natural growth.
The court was hearing a writ petition challenging G.O. (Ms.) No. 88 issued by the Environment, Climate Change and Forests department, which appears to have recommended or effected the repeal of the conservation law and rules. The interim order will remain in effect until the petition is finally decided.