NGT Forms Committee to Address Proposed Tree Felling in Kerala’s Ernakulam District

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has formed a committee to verify the factual scenario and implement corrective measures concerning the proposed tree felling in a village located in Kerala’s Ernakulam district.

The tribunal was hearing a postal letter petition submitted by certain village residents, which the tribunal officially recognized as an original application.

As per the tribunal’s protocol, it has the authority to acknowledge any letter petition “highlighting instances of substantial environmental damage.” Such valid complaints do not necessarily mandate representation from the affected party, nor do they need to be filed by a legal representative.

The letter vehemently opposed the planned removal of eight small trees at the Kalikulangara village junction, planted by residents “several years ago on World Environment Day.” It stressed that the proposed tree cutting would unjustly impact the village, as these trees not only offer shade and enhance the beauty of the junction but also contribute to improved air quality, serving as a source of community pride symbolizing their commitment to environmental protection. The letter urged the relevant authorities to reconsider the decision.

A bench of Judicial Member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Expert Member Afroz Ahmad remarked that the assertions in the petition, prima facie, raise substantial environmental questions. The bench deemed it appropriate to form a joint committee to verify the facts and propose suitable remedial measures, as stated in an order issued on January 22.

The joint committee will include representatives from the collector, the divisional/district forest officer of Ernakulam, and the Kerala State Pollution Control Board, as directed by the tribunal. The committee is instructed to convene within two weeks, conduct on-site visits, address the applicant’s grievances, involve the applicant and the representative of the relevant project proponent, validate the factual situation, and recommend necessary remedial actions.

The Kerala State Pollution Control Board is designated as the nodal agency for coordination and compliance, as per the tribunal’s directives. The tribunal has mandated that a factual report and an action-taken report be submitted to the southern zone bench in Chennai within two months.