NGT stays further felling of trees at a Ludhiana distributary

Co-petitioners Jaskirat Singh and Amandeep Singh pointed out that the Supreme Court (SC), in matters concerning tree felling, has consistently held that all alternatives must be explored to minimise ecological loss, and that development and environmental protection must go hand-in-hand.

During the hearing, after submissions from the Forest Department, Irrigation Department, and the Ministry of Environment, it emerged that an amount of Rs 31.98 lakh was deposited as compensation for forest land and trees. However, the petitioners argued that manual concretisation, as successfully adopted in several similar projects in the past, would have avoided the need for felling most trees and substantially reduced project cost. Despite this, the departments failed to examine alternative options and proceeded with approvals for tree removal.

The PAC submitted that instead of awaiting the tribunal’s final order, the departments had already commenced felling of trees, resulting in 207 trees being felled so far. The forest department confirmed this, they said.

“The NGT bench expressed serious concern over the conduct of several departments, noting that such environmentally harmful practices are recurring, citing the previous case concerning forest damage along the Sirhind Canal. The Bench observed that the departments ‘should have waited for the final orders’ rather than proceeding unilaterally without considering alternative options or the potential consequences of the case,” PAC said.

As per the interim directions by the NGT, the bench has stayed further cutting of trees with immediate effect, directing the Ministry of Environment and the Irrigation Department, Punjab, to place on record the alternatives, if any, evaluated prior to approving tree felling. The next hearing would be in the third week of January.