The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognizance of 77 cases of illegal felling of conifer trees, involving the cutting down of more than 100 trees in Tanta forest area of Chirala near Bhaderwah in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The original application is registered suo-motu on the basis of the news item dated November 27, 2024.
As per the article, locals are concerned about the unabated smuggling of forest wealth in the area.
The article highlights that the locals and environmentalists accompanied a team of media persons to the forest area where the coniferous trees, including cedar, kail and fir, were found cut down by smugglers at the Mona Nullah in compartment number three.
It is further reported that the investigation teams have seized vehicles loaded with illicit timber.
The above news items attract the provisions of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The NGT impleaded the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu and Kashmir, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and District Magistrate, Doda, as respondents.
They were directed to file responses/replies by way of affidavit before the Tribunal at least one week before the next hearing date.
The case raises substantial issues relating to compliance with environmental norms and implementation of scheduled enactments.
The NGT’s power to take up the matter suo moto has been recognized by the Supreme Court in the case of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors.
The Principal Bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, and Dr. A. Senthil Vel, Expert Member listed the case for hearing on April 9, 2025.
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