NGT orders probe into illegal tree felling in Panipat village

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted a joint committee to investigate allegations of illegal felling of neem and peepal trees in Manana village of Panipat, reportedly carried out at the behest of the village sarpanch.

The complaint was filed by Sandeep Rathee, a resident of Manana village, who approached the NGT in March this year. Rathee alleged that around 60 green trees, including peepal and neem, were cut in January on a land parcel owned by the Department of Animal Husbandry.

According to the complaint, the trees were allegedly felled without any prior permission from the authorities concerned. Rathee claimed that the village sarpanch, Rekha Devi, along with her husband, undertook the illegal tree cutting with “ulterior motives and commercial gains" — specifically, for constructing a banquet hall on the land.

“The timber obtained from illegally cut trees has been sold for lakhs of rupees," Rathee alleged. He accused the sarpanch of diverting the proceeds from the sale for personal use.

Additionally, the complainant claimed that construction work on the banquet hall had commenced without necessary clearances from the pollution control board or other competent authorities. “The act of illegal tree cutting has resulted in significant environmental degradation, including loss of green cover, reduced biodiversity, and disturbance to the local ecosystem,” Rathee said.

In support of the complaint, the veterinary surgeon of GVH Samalkha also submitted a formal request to the SHO, Samalkha, seeking an FIR in the matter. However, no police action has reportedly been taken. Rathee said he had also sent written complaints to the Chief Minister, the Deputy Commissioner of Panipat, and the SDM of Samalkha, but received no response or action.

Taking serious note of the allegations, the Principal Bench of the NGT has directed the formation of a joint committee. The panel will include representatives from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Director of Veterinary Services (Haryana), and the SDM of Samalkha.

The SDM of Samalkha has been appointed as the coordinating agency for the committee. The NGT has directed the panel to submit its findings within eight weeks.

Haryana Tribune