Faridkot, June 8

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Head of the Forest Force, Punjab, to take remedial measures for enforcement of rule of law in the alleged illegal felling of 2,058 trees on the premises of the Faridkot Cooperative Sugar Mills Ltd, a defunct unit for the past about 15 years.

The force, may, after ascertaining 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, read the NGT orders. The orders came after some tree lovers and environmentalists approached the tribunal, alleging illegal axing of trees at the mill.

As per the petition, the Forest Department had not taken permission from the Union Environment Ministry before ordering felling of trees as the area of the closed sugar mill was a deemed forest area in terms of various judgments of the SC. — TNS