NGT Issues Notice Over Alleged Tree Felling by Army HQ in Central Ridge

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the Union Ministry of Defence and two other entities in connection with the reported tree felling by the Army Headquarters in Delhi’s Central Ridge area.

The tribunal was hearing a case in which it had taken suo motu cognizance, based on a newspaper report, of the Army Headquarters’ tree-clearing activities in an 8.78-hectare area.

A bench led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member A Senthil Vel took note of the newspaper report, indicating that the Army had violated environmental norms, including the Delhi Preservation of Tree Act, Forest Conservation Act, and the Indian Forest Act.

The bench stated, “The news item discloses a substantial issue relating to compliance with the environmental norms.” The Delhi Development Authority Vice-Chairman, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, and the Defence Ministry, represented by its secretary, were named as parties or respondents. Following the issuance of notices by the green panel, the ministry’s counsel acknowledged receipt and requested a four-week period to submit a reply. Granting this request, the bench called for responses from the remaining two parties.

The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on March 6, 2024.