The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Thursday (October 08) issued notice on a public interest litigation filed by an advocate raising concerns over the State Government's action of planting Conocarpus trees (a non-native species), despite a State Circular of January 9, 2026 prohibiting the same.

The bench of Justice Subodh Abhyankar and Justice Jai Kumar Pillai observed,

"Issue notice to the respondents on payment of process fee within seven working days by speed post with due acknowledgement, returnable within four weeks. List after four weeks".

Per the petition, a report was submitted by the Central Empowered Committee, which examined the environmental and ecological impact of the concerned species of trees and recommended that further plantation of the species must be stopped and that suitable native species must be promoted.

Further, a circular was issued by the Urban Administration and Development Department on January 9, 2026, directing Urban Local Bodies to avoid plantation of the said species. The petition also referred to the reply of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question, stating that all States and Union Territories were advised to stop plantation of the said species with immediate effect.

The petition stated that despite the circular of the Urban Administration and Development Department prohibiting further plantation of the said species, the said species were being planted in public places.

The petition stated that, 'a policy intended to protect the environment cannot remain confined to official records while the practice sought to be discontinued continues in public places'.

The petition also stated that pollen of such species may cause or aggravate allergic reactions and respiratory discomfort in susceptible persons and may contribute to other respiratory conditions in the residents.

The petition further submitted that a detailed representation was forwarded to the concerned authorities on July 23, 2026, but no effective action was taken. Thus, the petitioner approached the High Court seeking directions to the Respondents to strictly implement the policy concerning prohibition on plantation of Conocarpus trees within the State of MP.

Per the High Court website, the case is now listed for November 23.

Petitioner-in-Person: Advocate Gopal Joshi

For State: Advocate Pradyumna Kibe