Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Jagdish Chandra Pandey Vs State of Uttarakhand & Others dated 25/02/2022.

Grievance in the application is against violation of environmental norms during construction of Kotila-Gawad-Suraikhet Motor road, tehsil Dwarahat, district Almora, Uttarakhand. It is alleged that large number of trees are being damaged during the construction of the road which is being constructed by the Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation through M/s Kaira Construction Firm. The report of the Forest Department, Uttarakhand, July 30, 2021 acknowledged violations without adequate remedial action.

The NGT, February 25, 2022 directed further follow up restoration action to be taken, which would be monitored by the Principal Secretary, Forest Department, Uttarakhand at least once a month till satisfactory compliance.

Action taken must include plantation against tree cut, restoration of water courses, scientific muck disposal at identified sites and recovery of environmental compensation from violators, for restoration works the order passed by the bench of Justices Adarsh Kumar Goel, Sudhir Agarwal and Brijesh Sethi said.