NGT orders probe into felling of trees at Faridkot sugar mill
FARIDKOT: Taking note of “illegal” felling of full-grown trees at a defunct sugar mill in Faridkot, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Punjab principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) to probe the matter and after ascertaining facts, take remedial measures, including action against violators.
Over 2,000 full-grown trees on 135 acres at a defunct cooperative sugar mill were axed to clear the land for developing a housing project of the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) in the past four months.
The complainants, Gurpreet Singh Chandbaja, Kapil Dev and Jaskirat Singh, had submitted that the forest department did not take permission from the Union environment ministry before ordering felling of trees as the area is a “deemed forest” in terms of various judgments of the Supreme Court and those of the NGT.
“Undue financial benefits were extended to the contractor. The forest department has not ordered for planting 10 times more trees (20,580) in substitution of 2,058 grown-up trees, which have been axed,” they added.
A five-member NGT bench headed by justice Adarsh Goel said that grievance in the application is primarily against illegal cutting of 2,058 trees.
The applicant has relied upon a report in Hindustan Times “Over 1,000 trees axed in Faridkot, residents fume” and a legal notice addressed to the Punjab government. The applicant has also relied upon auction notice for sale of 2,058 trees, the NGT order.
“We direct the PCCF (head of forest force), Punjab, to look into the grievance and take remedial measures for the enforcement of rule of law. The PCCF may, after ascertaining the facts, take such remedial measures as may be found necessary, including coercive measures against the persons found responsible for violating the law, following due process,” the bench said.
The cooperative sugar mill was set up in Faridkot in 1988 over nearly 50 acres. After it turned into a loss-making unit, the mill was closed in 2006.