National Green Tribunal Seeks Report From DFO On Status Of Illegal Tree Felling In Nainital, Feasibility Of Geo-Tagging Of Old Trees

National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) to file an affidavit mentioning the present status in respect of all incidents of illegal felling of trees reported by the Joint Committee.

The Tribunal has also directed to mention in the affidavit about the feasibility and tentative costs of geo-tagging of old trees in Nainital, particularly Deodar and Oak trees.

The bench of Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, Dr Afroz Ahmad has also said that, “PCCF (HoF) shall specifically mention the steps taken for setting up of Grievance Redressal Cell in compliance with the recommendation made by the Joint Committee in its report dated 31.10.2022.”

The Tribunal was hearing the application that raised grievances about the illegal felling of trees in the forest area adjacent to Nainital city during the last few years.

In September 2022, a Joint Committee was constituted by the Tribunal and directed to submit a factual and action taken report.

Advocate Akash Vashishtha was appointed as amicus curiae to assist the Tribunal in the fair adjudication of the questions involved in the case.

The Tribunal has also directed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HOF) to specifically mention the steps taken for setting up of Grievance Redressal Cell in compliance with the recommendation made by the Joint Committee in its report.

“We are of the considered view that such Grievance Redressal Cell must have (i) a Control Room with dedicated Hot-line/web-portal where any Member of the Public should be able to make a complaint regarding illegal felling of trees and (ii) a quick response team for taking prompt action in case of receipt of any such complaint regarding illegal felling of trees to prevent illegal felling of trees and to ensure immediate seizure of illegally cut trees along with vehicles and equipments used and arrest and prosecution of the offenders”,the Tribunal added.

While posting the matter for further consideration on August 22 the Tribunal said, “we consider personal appearance of the DFO, Nainital, Regional Officer, UKSPCB and officer not below the rank of SDM duly authorised by the District Magistrate,Nainital before this Tribunal physically on the next date of hearing to be essential for assisting this Tribunal in just and proper adjudication of the questions involved in the case and they are accordingly directed to remain present before this Tribunal on that date”.

Case Title: Vivek Verma v.State of Uttarakhand & Ors.

Appearance: Rahul Verma, AAG for Respondents No. 1 to 5, Chandershekhar Joshi, DFO, Nanital,Mukesh Verma, Advocate for Respondent No. 7- UKPCB

Akash Vashishtha, Amicus Curiae

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