National Green Tribunal asks Punjab to strengthen tree preservation policy
Chandigarh: The
National Green Tribunal
(NGT) has directed the Punjab chief secretary to address the shortcomings in the state's existing tree preservation policy to effectively prevent illegal felling of trees, especially on private land.
The directive from a bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Dr A Senthil Vel came during a hearing on a complaint regarding the illegal cutting of standing green trees in a residential colony in Jalandhar.
During the proceedings, the tribunal examined the 'Tree Preservation Policy for Non-Forest Govt and Public Land, 2024' and observed that significant gaps remained in its scope. Specifically, the policy does not extend to trees standing on private land.
In an earlier hearing, the tribunal summoned the Punjab chief secretary to appear virtually to clarify the legal framework regulating the felling of trees on non-forest land in the state.
Appearing before the bench, the chief secretary acknowledged the critical importance of tree preservation and affirmed the state's responsibility to safeguard trees on all types of land. However, he admitted that Punjab currently lacked a legislative framework to effectively deter and penalise illegal tree felling.
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The chief secretary assured the tribunal that the state govt would initiate the process of drafting and presenting a bill in the next legislative session and sought six months' time to complete the process.
The applicant, meanwhile, raised several concerns about the 2024 policy and its implementation. These included the absence of a formal grievance redressal mechanism, lack of clarity on where complaints regarding illegal tree cutting should be lodged, and the non-existence of a tree census in the urban areas.
It was pointed out that tree felling often takes place at night, allowing the violators to escape accountability.
Further, municipal bodies reportedly lack any data on existing tree cover in their jurisdictions, making detection of illegal activity nearly impossible. The applicant also flagged issues such as the concretisation of tree bases, deliberate burning of garbage at tree roots to weaken them, and the absence of any system to ensure compensatory plantation for trees lost during thunderstorms or other natural events.
Concerns were also raised over the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) carrying out indiscriminate tree felling. According to the applicant, over 100 trees are cut across the state every day, yet no punitive action is taken, exacerbating Punjab's already low tree cover – one of the lowest in the country.
The NGT noted that the chief secretary was expected to consider these concerns and ensure that appropriate protective, punitive, and remedial measures were undertaken.
The chief secretary has also been directed to file a progress report or an action taken report before the next date of hearing, scheduled for Oct 10.
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