Measures to check tree felling in city insufficient, NGT told

Ludhiana: The Punjab forest department, in a report to the NGT after a group alleged that trees were being felled without any checks in Ludhiana, has admitted to having insufficient measures to check depleting green cover in urban areas of the state.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT), after members of the group called Public Action Committee (PAC) filed a petition with it, had earlier directed Punjab’s principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), to look into the matter and take remedial action. In its plea, PAC sought the enactment of a tree protection law for urban areas of the state and a census of trees.

The forest department carried out a survey and submitted its report to NGT on June 1. NGT uploaded the report on its website on June 13. The department, in the report, admitted to not having any legal provision or mechanism in place, except for recommending FIRs, for checking the practice. It also suggested other measures.
PAC members Kapil Arora, Kuldeep Singh Khaira, Dr Amandeep Bains and Col JS Gill had filed the petition. They also sought a law with punishment for such violators. On NGT’s order, the forest department carried out a survey of illegally axed trees (as listed in the NGT order) in Ludhiana and sought a reply from all respondents. In the report, it has been mentioned that Ludhiana MC and Ludhiana Improvement Trust had reported axing, topping and pruning of the trees to the police, but the follow-up action was not up to the mark. All departments and institutions, except MC, have completed the enumeration of trees, said the report. The MC, said the report, had given an assurance of completing enumeration by December 31. The report said the government mechanism lacked in keeping a check on illicit axing, pollarding and pruning of trees in public places, by roads, and in parks. But, it said, this was not the case when it came to walled premises with guards. The report said government departments were carrying out plantation drives in their respective areas, but enforcement of compensatory plantation needed more attention. The petitioners, however, claimed that from the report, it was clear there was no law for protecting and counting trees in Punjab.