Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Vijay Chawla Vs Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change & Others dated 13/04/2022.

Grievance in the application is against cutting of trees in village Sarai Khawaja, Faridabad, by SVC & Lehri, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad in violation of the NGT order, March 8, 2019 (O.A. No. 407/2017, Lt. Col. (Retd.) Sarvadaman Singh Oberoi vs. State of Haryana & Ors) holding the area to be ‘deemed forest’. FIR, January 10, 2020 has been filed by the forest department but still cutting of trees is continuing in violation of law without remedial action.

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The NGT directed the DFO, Faridabad, District Magistrate, Faridabad and State PCB to verify the facts and furnish a report to the Tribunal. If on verification it is found that cutting of trees and construction activities are illegal, the authorities may ensure remedial action, including prevention of illegal cutting of trees and stopping construction activities without requisite consent/clearance under environmental laws from statutory regulators.