The Darjeeling district administration’s decision to grant permission to fell 515 trees in a single tea garden in Mirik has come as a shocker to environmentalists and local people.

The management of Sourenee tea garden, situated about 4km from Mirik town, started felling trees four days ago.

The management claims it had received permission to fell the trees in 2020 but could not do so as labourers from outside the garden could not be engaged because of Covid-19 protocols. “We have all relevant permission right from the district magistrate’s office to other agencies,” garden manager Dhilan Das told The Telegraph.

Asked whether it was rational to grant permission to fell 515 trees at one go in a single tea garden, district magistrate S. Ponnambalam said an inquiry would be conducted.

“Based on the inquiry (whether due process has been followed or not), we will take immediate action,” Ponnambalam told this newspaper.

When the permission to fell the trees was given, Ponnambalam was not the DM.

The estate has been leased to Siliguri-based Sourenee Leaves Private Limited.