Tribunal Addresses Alleged Illegal Logging in Greater Noida

The National Green Tribunal has requested a response from authorities concerning the illegal felling of over 1,000 trees in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Officials, including the district magistrate of Gautam Buddha Nagar, must submit their responses before the hearing on October 14. The tribunal took action following a newspaper report and social media uproar.

The National Green Tribunal has demanded explanations from authorities over allegations of illegal felling of more than 1,000 trees in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

The bench instructed officials, including the district magistrate of Gautam Buddha Nagar, to submit their responses a week before the scheduled hearing on October 14.

Following its own cognizance of a newspaper article, the tribunal is investigating claims that a private company was involved in the illegal cutting of trees.

A forest department team subsequently confiscated a truck loaded with felled trees after the matter gained traction on social media.

NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted that the issue involves significant environmental compliance and potential breaches of the Environment Protection Act and the Uttar Pradesh Protection of Trees Act.

The tribunal has included various authorities as respondents, including the district magistrate, regional office of the Union environment ministry in Lucknow, the managing director of UP forest corporation, and the principal chief conservator of forest.

The bench, comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice A K Tyagi, and expert member A Senthil Vel, has issued notices to the respondents, requiring their responses before the next hearing.