The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has instructed officials to conduct spot inspections to verify allegations of illegal tree felling, emphasizing the need for immediate and appropriate action if such claims are substantiated. This directive came during the hearing of a petition regarding unauthorized tree cutting at a nursery in Ibrahimpur village, Delhi.
Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel of the NGT chaired the session on April 7, where it was revealed that the applicant had not provided prima facie evidence to support the allegations. The counsel for the applicant argued that gathering evidence was challenging due to the nursery being enclosed by a boundary wall, which restricted access.
Despite the lack of initial evidence, the tribunal recognized the seriousness of the allegations and underscored the importance of verifying such claims through physical inspection. “When a complaint regarding the illegal felling of trees is lodged, it necessitates a spot inspection to ascertain the truthfulness of the allegations,” the tribunal noted in its order.
Concluding the hearing, the NGT directed Delhi’s principal chief conservator of forests to undertake a thorough investigation to determine the factual situation and to implement suitable remedial and punitive measures promptly.
