NGT Grills UP Authorities Over Illegal Felling of 980 Trees in Greater Noida
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the illegal felling of 980 trees from the premises of a defunct factory in Greater Noida, demanding accountability from Uttar Pradesh authorities. In a recent hearing, the tribunal grilled officials for their lack of action in identifying the culprits behind the mass deforestation and their failure to recover the timber.
The tribunal directed the Chief Conservator of Forests in Uttar Pradesh to personally investigate the matter and report on the legal status of the tree felling, as well as the action taken so far. This directive came after the NGT took suo motu cognizance of the illegal tree cutting on the site of the former Daewoo Motors factory, which is now owned by Shakuntalam Landcraft Pvt. Ltd. The NGT’s displeasure was evident as it pointed out the significant lapses in the efforts to trace the felled timber, which was reportedly never recovered. While the Gautam Budh Nagar forest department acted on June 10, 2024, by seizing vehicles involved in transporting the illegally cut timber, the tribunal noted that the quantities of seized wood did not match the reported number of felled trees. In fact, it seemed as though only a fraction of the timber had been accounted for. Despite further reports of illegal felling on June 25, 2024, the action taken remained limited to the seizure of vehicles and the issuance of notices to drivers. The NGT observed that this was insufficient, given the scale of the illegal deforestation. The tribunal’s frustration was compounded by the lack of progress in identifying the perpetrators and recovering the remaining timber from over 900 trees.
In its hearing, the NGT also expressed disappointment with the response from the divisional forest officer, Gautam Budh Nagar, who had simply pointed to security lapses by two guards at the site without taking any meaningful action against them or the landowner. The tribunal questioned why the state’s principal chief conservator of forests had not taken more decisive steps to ensure a thorough investigation and follow-through. The tribunal also criticised the inadequate penalties prescribed under the Tree Protection Act, 1976, which the forest department claimed were insufficient to deter large-scale tree felling. The division officer, P.K. Srivastava, admitted that the current legal provisions were not robust enough to hold the culprits accountable for such significant environmental violations. The NGT’s intervention highlights the growing concern over illegal deforestation in India, where authorities are often seen as slow or inefficient in enforcing environmental laws. The lack of adequate penalties and the limited powers of the Tree Protection Act make it difficult to prevent or punish such violations effectively.
This case also raises questions about the responsibility of companies and landowners in safeguarding the environment. Shakuntalam Landcraft Pvt. Ltd., the current owner of the site, faces scrutiny over its role in this incident. With the growing concern about environmental degradation in the country, it is essential for authorities to take swift and effective action against those involved in illegal deforestation. As the NGT has set the next hearing for May 13, 2025, the tribunal’s intervention serves as a reminder of the need for stricter enforcement of environmental laws and greater accountability for those responsible for environmental harm. The felling of 980 trees in Greater Noida is a stark example of the ongoing challenges in addressing illegal deforestation, and the NGT’s directive aims to ensure that the authorities in Uttar Pradesh do not overlook their duty to protect the environment. This case serves as a call to action for stronger environmental safeguards and more efficient systems to prevent the illegal exploitation of natural resources in India.
