Green felling without permission 200 trees axed in Himachal

National Green Tribunal was informed by the state government that around 200 green trees are felled or pruned by the contractor while constructing the Daulatpur-Gagret Guglehad road, in Una district, Himachal Pradesh.

The famous Indian Environment media platform Down to Earth (DTE) reported that green felling was carried out by a contractor without seeking requisite permission from concerned authorities and inviolution FCA clearance. 

The felled trees are located on the land in possession of Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (HPPWD). 

The state of Himachal Pradesh submitted before in a status report filed by the state before the National Green Tribunal on May 13, 2023. 

State affidavit accepted that green feeling has caused a considerable amount of damage to ecosystems.

The state government informed the green tribunal that disciplinary action has been initiated against the forest guards posted in the area and the contractor has been booked after lodging FIR under Forrest Act.

Now NGT had asked the Deputy Commissioner of Una to furnish a reply before NGT supporting the findings and conclusions drawn by the committee.

The state government informed that the matter is pertaining to the previous Jai Ram Thakur Government as a committee also filed a report on the behest of NGT on July 4, 2022. NGT had ordered the state to verify the situation and take remedial action. 

The committee also discussed the possibility of levying environmental compensation but it was found that there was no standard guideline or provision according to which environmental compensation can be levied in the matter.

The committee recommended that HPPWD should also frame a proper mechanism for the pruning of trees standing on its land along the roadside.