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Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: Punjab's tree protection bill lacks teeth, say green activists
Environmentalists have raised strong objections to the draft of the Punjab protection of trees bill, which the state government plans to table in the legislative assembly before November. Introduced in response to National Green Tribunal directives, the bill aims to regulate tree felling in urban and non-forest areas. However, experts say it lacks teeth and fails to address Punjab's broader environmental concerns. Environmentalists say it lacks teeth and fails to address Punjab's broader environmental concerns. (HT File) Speaking at a press conference at the Press Club on Wednesday, a panel of environmentalists criticised the bill for limiting its jurisdiction to urban areas, which comprise just 4.16 percent of the state's geographical area. With 95.84 percent of Punjab being rural, the exclusion of these regions significantly undermines the bill's impact. Activists also flagged the lenient penalties proposed in the bill. The maximum fine for illegal tree felling is capped at ₹50,000 — an amount they say is too low to deter commercial exploitation. The bill mandates the planting of only two trees for every tree cut, with a care period of three months, a measure deemed insufficient for genuine reforestation. Environmentalist Samita Kaur pointed out that the bill permits tree felling for 'development,' a term that remains undefined. 'This vague clause could be easily misused,' she said. Citing official data, she added that Punjab's green cover has declined sharply — forest cover dropped from 4.80 percent in 2001 to 3.67 percent in 2023, while tree cover fell from 3.20 percent to 2.92 percent over the same period. The combined green cover now stands at just 6.59 percent. Kapil Arora, another panellist, criticised the bill's failure to include incentives such as carbon credits or agroforestry models, which have been effective in states like Uttar Pradesh. 'Farmers there are earning from planting trees. Punjab's bill misses that opportunity,' he said. He also noted that unlike Maharashtra and Delhi, the bill does not include imprisonment provisions for illegal tree cutting. Dr Manjit Singh highlighted the absence of any reference to heritage trees in the draft. 'There is no mention of preserving trees that are valuable due to their size, age, rarity, or cultural association,' he said, calling it a major oversight. Col. Jasjit Gill underscored the need for a comprehensive tree census and geotagging, calling these measures 'the need of the hour.' He also recommended preparing a state-wise list of heritage trees to ensure their protection.
Time of India
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
PAC activists corner MC, LIT & Glada over encroachments in green belts
Ludhiana: The Public Action Committee (PAC) has filed a petition in the National Green Tribunal (NGT), accusing the Municipal Corporation of Ludhiana (MCL), Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT), and Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (Glada) of encroaching upon 25 public parks and green belts within their jurisdiction. This move follows ongoing legal proceedings against unauthorised construction in the city's green spaces, under which a show-cause notice was issued to the MC commissioner for non-compliance with previous NGT orders. Activists Kapil Arora and Jaskirat Singh said that following the Tribunal's orders to demolish the MC Extension office, scrap yard, and library building, they had hoped that authorities would respect the integrity of the parks and green belts. However, they were dismayed to find that civic authorities continued to utilise public funds for construction projects. "Despite serving notice upon the principal secretary, Local Body Department and MCL, construction of PWD buildings as well as commercial vending zones has continued at the green belt along old GT road," they said. Arora and Singh claimed that the MC succumbed to political pressure and constructed a box cricket facility using steel structures and artificial grass in the green belt. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Paul Gascoigne's Actual House Left Us With No Words - Take A Look Ohi Blog Undo They also flagged buildings at Vishvakarma Park and City Enclave in Barewal, as well as a dog café in the BRS Nagar green belt. They added that the civic body had not taken action despite notices and complaints submitted through the mSEVA portal. Activists Kuldeep Singh Khaira and Gurpreet Singh alleged that the MC, LIT, and Glada had not only undertaken new construction but had also encroached upon numerous parks and green belts by building offices, residences, Mohalla clinics, and commercial Verka booths. "We had served notice against Verka booths to all three authorities, but Glada has established a new Verka booth in a park at the Sector 32A market, the park opposite BJS Dental College in Sector 39 as well as a park in Jamalpur," they claimed. They added that Verka booths were present in parks at Cheema Chowk, near 200 Road, near BCM School, opposite Convent School in Sarabha Nagar, Gurdev Nagar, Rishi Balmiki Park at Old GT Road, Mini Rose Garden, and others, all of which were included in the petition. Dr Amandeep Singh Bains and Gagnish Khurana said that the MC was constructing overhead water reservoirs at various locations, with plans to build one in Shaheedi Park at Kidwai Nagar. However, they said that most of the park had been encroached upon by the MC through the construction of offices and residences for staff. Activists pointed out that a water tank is dysfunctional and criticised MC officials for planning to establish a new tank without demolishing the old one, which would have preserved trees in the park. "They have demarcated place in the park in a way that more than 15 silver oak trees will be axed," Bains and Khurana said, urging the tribunal to stay construction till the old water tank was removed. Activists have called upon the Tribunal to impose heavy penalties on the MC commissioner for disobeying NGT orders. MSID:: 122904466 413 |
Hindustan Times
24-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana MC commissioner served contempt notice by NGT over green belt encroachment
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a contempt notice to the municipal commissioner of Ludhiana and directed him to appear in person before the tribunal during the next hearing. The notice was issued in response to a contempt petition filed by members of the Public Action Committee (PAC), accusing the commissioner of failing to comply with the tribunal's earlier orders regarding restoration of green belt land in Sarabha Nagar and Model Town Extension. In July, the tribunal had directed the commissioner to restore the green belt areas and submit a compliance report. (HT Photo) The tribunal warned that if the commissioner fails to justify the non-compliance, he may face prosecution under Section 26 of the NGT Act, 2010. The bench also said that arrest and detention in civil prison and imposition of environmental compensation on the MC could be considered for the damage caused due to encroachments and delay in remediation. PAC members Kapil Arora and Vikas Arora said they had initially filed a case highlighting illegal construction by the MC on the green belt of Leisure Valley in Sarabha Nagar, including a Zone-D extension office and a scrap yard. They also raised the issue of encroachments in Model Town Extension. In July, the Tribunal had directed the commissioner to restore the green belt areas and submit a compliance report. However, the residents' body alleged that only partial demolition took place and the report submitted was incomplete, leading the bench to reopen the case. On January 13 this year, the tribunal had already warned that failure to implement its orders was punishable under the law and could lead to coercive action. PAC also informed that another contempt petition is pending before the tribunal against the construction of a library on park land at Dholewal Chowk, and orders in that case are awaited.
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Time of India
National Green Tribunal directs Ludhiana municipal corporation's commissioner to appear for noncompliance of greenbelt restitution orders.
Ludhiana: Its chainsaw ready to strike at the roots of inaction, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has summoned this city's municipal commissioner to appear in person and explain why he should not face prosecution for failing to implement its orders to restore greenbelts in Sarabha Nagar and Model Town Extension. The directive, issued in response to a contempt petition by members of the Public Action Committee (PAC), warned that the commissioner could face proceedings under Section 26 of the NGT Act, 2010, and even be arrested and detained in a civil prison. The tribunal also questioned whether environmental compensation should be imposed on the commissioner or the municipal corporation for allowing continued encroachment and failing to take prompt remedial action. The original petition, filed by activist Kapil Arora, sought action against illegal constructions and encroachments on greenbelts in Sarabha Nagar and Model Town Extension. These included a scrap yard and the construction of an extension office of the municipal corporation on protected green space. The tribunal had issued orders on July 4, 2024, directing full restoration of the affected areas and submission of a compliance report. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No dark spots, 10 years younger! Just take this from Watsons URUHIME MOMOKO Learn More Undo However, despite multiple deadlines, the civic body's actions have remained partial. A compliance report submitted on July 7 admitted that while a temporary shed used by the junior engineer's office at Sarabha Nagar was demolished in Sept 2024, the remaining rooms were repurposed to store horticulture equipment. Plans to auction scrap from the site were outlined in June but not executed. In Model Town Extension, four shop owners who had opened doors onto the greenbelt were ordered to seal those in Feb. However, a re-inspection found that two seals had been broken. While the openings were resealed and a letter sent to the commissioner of police for seeking action against the violators, the tribunal noted that no significant action had followed. The NGT observed that the civic body had retained parts of the structures in violation of tribunal orders and failed to seek permission for any modifications. It also flagged delays in removing the statue of Lord Shiva from the greenbelt and in the auctioning of scrap. Stating that its directives had not been implemented fully, the green tribunal demanded a fresh action-taken report within 15 days and ordered the municipal commissioner to appear personally on Aug 11 to explain the continuing non-compliance. MSID:: 122858704 413 |
Indian Express
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
NGT issues notices to PPCB, dyeing industry CETPs in contempt petitions filed by PAC
In the ongoing legal battle over extreme water pollution in Ludhiana's Buddha Dariya, now infamously known as Buddha Nullah, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) Tuesday heard 14 clubbed cases, focusing notably on the legality and functioning of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) operated by Ludhiana's dyeing industry. The dyeing industry has been allegedly dumping untreated waste in the stream. The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) informed the bench that a new industry minister, PPCB chairperson, and Member Secretary are now in place, all having intent to resolve the issue. PPCB submitted that it has enlisted IIT Ropar to draft a comprehensive solution and has imposed penalties worth crores on the three CETPs for violating environmental clearance (EC) conditions. Meanwhile, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) submitted an affidavit acknowledging non-compliance by the Punjab Dyers Association and Bahadarke Dyeing Association. The ministry sought two months time to enforce compliance or take action. The Tribunal directed the ministry to consider including affected residents as stakeholders. The petitioner, Public Action Committee (PAC), urged the bench to implement PPCB's own closure orders for the CETPs and accused the Board and industry players of collusion to delay action. PAC also filed three execution applications-cum-contempt petitions for non-compliance with the NGT's December 9, 2024 order. The contempt petitions seek coercive action against PPCB officials and CETP directors for continued discharge of untreated effluent into Buddha Dariya. Taking note, the Tribunal issued notices to PPCB and the CETP special purpose vehicles (SPVs). The contempt charges could lead to penalties of up to Rs 10 crore or imprisonment up to three years or both for willful disobedience of Tribunal orders. The NGT will next haer the petitions on October 7. Speaking outside the court in Delhi, PAC member Kapil Arora said, 'The PPCB, Punjab government and the Centre continue to downplay the crisis. The PAC, with other organizations, will intensify its efforts to hold authorities accountable and end these delaying tactics.' In its affidavit, the MoEF&CC has also said that 'that environmental clearance (EC) is mandatory' for all common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) in Ludhiana. The MoEF&CC has also served show-cause notices to three CETPs operating without EC and valid consents of the PPCB, recently. Notices were issued to the 15 MLD CETP at Bahadurke, the 40 MLD CETP at Focal Point, and the 50 MLD CETP at Tajpur Road. The notices pointed out multiple serious violations, including illegal discharges into Buddha Nullah, failure to take consents under environmental laws, and not adhering to stipulated safety and environmental norms.
