The principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday constituted a joint committee to verify the facts and take remedial action regarding the allegations of illegal tree felling and other large-scale environmental violations by the religious organisation Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB) in Paror in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district. The bench was headed by Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi (judicial member) and Dr Afroz Ahmad (expert member), The tribunal issued the order while impleading the state of Himachal Pradesh, the Kangra district magistrate and the Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board (HPPCB) as respondents after taking suo motu cognisance of a letter petition sent by Seema Kumari, the pradhan of Ghaneta Gram Panchayat, and others from Kangra district. The applicants have alleged that the RSSB has been illegally expanding its premises in the Paror-Ghaneta-Darang-Balla-Dhoran belt, causing an ecological imbalance, and violating several central environmental laws. The petition cites breaches of key legislations, including the Water Act (1974), Forest Conservation Act (1980), Air Act (1981), Environment Protection Act (1986), Biological Diversity Act (2002), and others listed under Schedule-I of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. According to the complainants, the RSSB expansion has led to widespread deforestation, illegal land acquisition, unauthorised construction in floodplains, and the destruction of biodiversity. The petition also alleges that natural streams, irrigation channels (kuhls), and access roads have been obstructed, creating a serious threat of floods and disruption to the livelihood of local farmers. The applicants also submitted photographic and satellite evidence showing large-scale tree felling, dumping of debris in Tahal Khad, and diversion of natural water courses. Observing that the allegations raised “substantial questions relating to the environment” under Schedule-I of the NGT Act, the Tribunal has sought responses from Himachal Pradesh, the Kangra district magistrate, and the HPPCB within two months. “In view of the averments made in the application, we also consider it appropriate that a joint committee be constituted to verify the factual position and take appropriate remedial action. Accordingly, we constitute a joint committee comprising of representatives of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), HPPCB and District Magistrate, Kangra and direct the same to meet within two weeks, undertake visits to the site, look into the grievances of the applicant, associate the applicant and representative of the concerned project proponent, verify the factual position and take appropriate remedial action by following due course of law and submit report within two month. The HPPCB will be the nodal agency for coordination and compliance,” the bench stated. The matter has been listed for further hearing on December 18, with directions to the committee to submit its detailed report within two months.
