Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Hardeep Sharma & State of Uttarakhand & Others dated 24/02/2025.

The applicant, Hardeep Sharma has sent the letter petition dated January 9, 2024 complaining that in village Chandpur, Pratapur of District Udham Singh Nagar, a colony is being developed for plotting purpose, wherein 1100 green and matured trees were standing and permission for cutting of 150 trees was granted but more than 600 trees have already been cut.

The NGT, November 7, 2024 directed constitution of a joint committee with direction to submit a factual report. The joint committee report dated January 27, 2025 was filed by the MoEF&CC. The report stated that the joint committee is of the view that a total number of 264 trees were felled without permission in the nap (niji) land. The Forest Department has already recovered an amount of Rs 4,44,000 from the violators for felling of 88 trees as a compensation under the Protection of Trees Act, 1976. In addition, a case has also been registered by the DFO, Tarai West Ramnagar under the Protection of Trees Act, 1976 for felling of 176 trees and Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board has also imposed a fine of Rs 67,26,375 upon the violators as an environmental compensation.

Taking into consideration the averments in the application and observations in the report of the joint committee, the NGT, February 24, 2025 directed the state of Uttarakhand through Chief Secretary to file their response. Other authorities directed to submit their response include the District Magistrate, Udham Singh Nagar; Integrated Regional Office, MoEF&CC, Dehradun; DFO, Tarai West Forest Division, Ramnagar and Uttarakhand State Pollution Control Board (UKSPCB).

In addition, some people (respondents) from village Chandpur, tehsil Kashipur, Udham Singh Nagar were also directed to submit their response. The NGT will next hear the case on April 7, 2025. The court also gave directions for the personal appearance of the Member Secretary, UKPCB and PCCF (HoFF), Uttarakhand. The authorities have been directed to remain present before the court with relevant records.