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Probe underway after around 80 trees cut down illegally in Amritsar; second incident within a month

Activists claimed that trees along the Upper Bari Doab Canal leading towards Guru Pind Bahoru are being indiscriminately felled in direct violation of orders from the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

3 min readAmritsarJan 23, 2026 05:30 PM IST

Activist Sarabjit Singh Sonu Jandiala Amritsar

Activist Sarabjit Singh Sonu Jandiala visited the site along the Upper Bari Doab Canal near Amritsar’s Bohru village on Wednesday and expressed grave concern over trees being axed in direct violation of orders from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. (Express Photo)

The Canals wing under the Water Resources Department in Punjab initiated a probe on Thursday after around 80 trees were found to be axed alongside the Upper Bari Doab Canal near Bohru village in Amritsar, allegedly without requisite approvals from the authorities. Preliminary findings indicate the trees were cut beyond the scope of permission granted for road construction, sources said.

This is the second instance within a month when trees in the district have been felled in violation of norms. Last month, trees along the canal near Tarawala Pul in Amritsar city were similarly cut down, triggering concerns among residents over repeated environmental lapses.

Activists have claimed that old and dense trees along the Upper Bari Doab Canal leading towards Guru Pind Bahoru are being indiscriminately felled. Members of the Akal Seva Foundation and social activist Sarabjit Singh Sonu Jandiala visited the site on Wednesday, assessed the situation, and expressed grave concern that the trees were being axed in a direct violation of orders from the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

‘Deeply regrettable’

Jandiala said that in December 2025, the high court had imposed a complete ban on tree cutting across Punjab and issued clear orders that no trees must be felled without court approval. “Previously, a case of tree felling near Tarawala Pul in collusion with a private company had surfaced, leading to an investigation which Amritsar’s Deputy Commissioner handed over to a high-level committee. The recurrence of such an incident along the Bahoru canal stretch has now raised questions about the administration’s functioning,” he added.

“It is deeply regrettable that those meant to protect nature have become the killers of trees. These trees not only sustain the environment but also serve as homes for countless birds and wildlife,” Jandiala stated.

The Akal Seva Foundation has submitted a written complaint to Amritsar’s Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dalwinderjit Singh, demanding strict action against the guilty and the formation of a new high-level probe committee for an impartial investigation. Complaints have also been sent to the Punjab Chief Minister, Governor, National Environment Commission, and Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla. The activists urged the administration to act immediately to uphold high court orders and protect the environment.

Parveen Kumar, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Canal department, said, “The contractor claimed to have the Forest Department’s permission to cut the trees for road construction. However, preliminary probe has found that the trees were felled away from the road, and were not required to be cut. We have launched a probe and sought information from the Forest Department.”

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On December 24, 2025, Preetinder Singh Bains, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Amritsar-I, inspected the Tarawala Pul site, revealing large-scale tree felling alongside the same canal. “The inspection revealed that large-scale tree felling had taken place. An official letter (No. 1392) issued on December 31 has now formally notified senior authorities to initiate appropriate action against those responsible,” read the SDM’s letter to the DC.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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