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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Delhi HC tightens norms on tree felling, orders 5-year care for plantations
The Delhi high court has laid down detailed guidelines for tree officers and authorities undertaking infrastructure projects to ensure the effective implementation of the Delhi government's new standard operating procedure (SOP) for tree felling, transplantation, and compensatory plantation, in a move aimed at safeguarding the Capital's green cover. It also sets compensatory plantation norms and caps the number of permissions that can be issued from the same parcel of land. (HT Archive) The SOP, issued by the forest department on April 24, mandates tree officers to inspect any site for which felling permission is sought to assess whether it is essential, and directs project authorities to seek clearance from the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) if 50 or more trees are involved. It also sets compensatory plantation norms and caps the number of permissions that can be issued from the same parcel of land. To achieve the intent behind implementation of the SOP, justice Jasmeet Singh, in his May 20 ruling, emphasised that applicants seeking to fell trees must not only plant new ones, but also ensure their survival for at least five years by including watering, maintenance and general upkeep. The court also specified that the trees used for compensatory plantation must be at least six feet tall, five years old, and have a collar girth of at least 10cm. 'The endeavour of this court is to only ensure that the SOP which aims to ensure felling/transplantation of trees must be implemented in an effective manner to achieve the desired objective. Additionally, the compensatory plantation shall ensure that the trees which are to be planted are not less than 6 feet in height, have a nursery life of 5 years and a collar girth of not less than 10cm,' the order read. It added, 'The applicant who moves the application for felling of trees, will file an affidavit in this court with a copy to the learned amicus appointed under these proceedings as well as with the DCF, undertaking to take care of the compensatory planted trees for a period of 5 years, including watering, maintenance and general upkeep and shall file quarterly report with latest photographs.' In addition, justice Singh ruled that tree officers must be involved from the planning stage of any infrastructure project that involves tree felling or transplantation, and banned heavy pruning of transplanted trees, which often leads to their decline. These directives were issued in response to a contempt plea filed by climate activist Bhavreen Kandhari, who alleged non-compliance with a 2022 high court order that had instructed tree officers to issue clear, reasoned decisions on felling applications. Earlier, on May 9, the court had modified its previous order requiring judicial oversight for tree felling, transferring that responsibility to the CEC for cases involving 50 or more trees. The court will retain oversight for smaller projects until the SOP is fully implemented. Meanwhile, Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, had on June 7, issued a separate SOP clarifying what constitutes an 'emergency' that allows tree felling or pruning without prior permission. This move aims to balance public safety with environmental safeguards by ensuring urgent cases are addressed swiftly, without leaving room for misuse.
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Haryana orders probe into village-govt-mining mafia nexus in Nuh
The Haryana government has ordered the State Vigilance Department to probe allegations of criminal collusion between the sarpanch of Basai Meo village, certain government officials, and powerful mining cartels operating in the Aravalli belt of Nuh district. To be sure, the sarpanch was previously suspended for attempting to revive an illegal mining route demolished by the district administration. The department has been given a deadline of 90 days to complete its investigation and submit a report to the state government, officials said. The findings will be shared with both the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) recently filed a case in which seven people, including government officials and village-level leaders, were booked under sections 61 (criminal conspiracy), 329(3) (criminal trespass), 318(2) (cheating), 316(2) (criminal breach of trust), 303 (theft), and 270 (public nuisance) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Provisions of the Punjab Land and Preservation Act (Amendment), the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, and Section 15(1) of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, have also been invoked. The probe follows recent enforcement action in Basai Meo, where police arrested one person and booked another for attempting to revive an illegal mining route demolished earlier by the district administration. Past CEC reports have led to the suspension of six mining officials and the sarpanch of Basai Meo over similar allegations. Villages like Basai Meo, Chittaura, Ghata Shamshad, and Rawa have been repeatedly identified as hot spots for illegal mining, where criminals use dynamite to blast through the Aravallis, extract stone illegally, and transport it via overloaded trucks. Environmentalists welcomed the move. 'For years, we have seen unchecked destruction in the name of development, often backed by invisible hands in power. This probe must go beyond symbolism and lead to real accountability,' said Vaishali Rana, a Gurugram-based environmentalist.
Hindustan Times
05-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
1 held for rebuilding illegal stretch of road in Aravallis
The Nuh police booked two men and arrested one of them on Wednesday, for allegedly attempting to rebuild a road in Basai Meo village in the ecologically sensitive Aravalli hills, police officials said. The 1.5 km-long illegal stretch had earlier been razed on the orders of Nuh deputy commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena, following directions from the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC), officials said. The police identified the arrested man as Saikul Khan, a resident of Basai Meo village, in Ferozepur Jhirka. His accomplice, Mohammad Ali, is currently at large, police said. Khan was arrested on Wednesday after forest beat staff on night patrol caught the duo allegedly cutting rocks and refilling the pathway through the Aravalli forests. A complaint was immediately filed by the forest department, triggering legal action. 'These are clear attempts to subvert forest protection and facilitate illegal access for mining. We acted promptly and will not tolerate such violations,' said Vineet Kumar Garg, principal chief conservator of forests, Haryana. The accused have been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900, and the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. Charges under Sections 33 and 32 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, have also been invoked on June 2, police said. Khan is being interrogated to know the extent of the network behind the attempt to rebuild the road and to identify any possible handlers, police said. 'We are actively patrolling all vulnerable points and are working closely with panchayats and the forest department to prevent further violations,' said Rajesh Kumar, superintendent of police, Nuh. He added that the local vigilance unit in Gurugram is also investigating the matter. The road in question, had originally been constructed illegally through protected Aravalli forest land in Basai Meo village. Following a Supreme Court petition, the CEC submitted a report confirming the violation, which led to the suspension of the village sarpanch earlier this year. The Haryana chief secretary later, admitted in an affidavit, to the apex court that the forest department had failed to take action, triggering criticism from environmental groups. 'The Aravallis are not just ancient hills—they are the lungs of North India,' said environmental activist Vaishali Rana. 'Every tree felled and every illegal encroachment weakens our ecological future. Roads through these hills, are not only illegal but also fragment a critical eco-sensitive zone.' According to forest officials, the department had blocked the illegal path in January this year to halt mining and encroachment. FIRs were also registered against three revenue officials for facilitating the illegal construction, but follow-up enforcement has been slow. The recent arrest underlines a growing pattern of violations and delayed deterrence in the Aravallis. Despite monitoring by the top court, activists and officials say illegal road construction, tree felling and land encroachments continue to threaten the already degraded forest range, which plays a vital role in groundwater recharge, biodiversity conservation, and climate regulation in the region. A survey of the disputed pathways in Basai Meo village has begun under the supervision of a senior vigilance officer, following directives from the Supreme Court. The exercise will demarcate the Aravalli terrain and Panchayat land on both sides of these routes. The paths cut through the Aravalli terrain and were allegedly built to enable illegal mining operations.
Hindustan Times
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Mohali: SC-appointed panel probes green violations in Mohali villages
Acting on complaints of violations of forest and wildlife protection laws in villages such as Karoran, Siswan, and Masol in Mohali district, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), constituted by the Supreme Court of India, conducted a site visit on Monday. The committee was accompanied by Dharam Sharma, principal chief conservator of forests, Punjab, and Divya P, sub-divisional magistrate of Kharar. The inspection included a visit to Bans Bagh (Bamboo Farm) in Siswan and Forest Hill Resort in Karoran village. The complainants were also present during the visit and shared their concerns directly with the committee, which asked them to appear for a formal hearing. Following this, the CEC is expected to conduct a comprehensive site inspection to assess the extent of damage to forest land, wildlife and the local environment. It will also evaluate the effectiveness of timely interventions by government departments concerned. Based on its findings, a report will be submitted to the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change. As per a press statement issued by Forest Hill Resort, the management submitted all relevant approvals, and orders from the Punjab and Haryana high court and the Supreme Court that support their operations. The villages in question fall under the jurisdiction of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900, and are protected by the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, as well as Supreme Court orders. Even during the delisting process for certain areas, the apex court had explicitly prohibited any commercial activity without prior approval from the Government of India. Despite these restrictions, large-scale violations—particularly illegal hill-cutting—have allegedly persisted for years, resulting in the degradation of ecologically sensitive and biodiversity-rich regions of the Shivalik Hills. Local residents and environmental activists have accused the forest department, district administration, GMADA and panchayati raj institutions of negligence and failure to curb rampant encroachments. The Central Empowered Committee, established by the Supreme Court in 2002 and reconstituted in 2008, functions as an advisory and monitoring body in cases related to forest and wildlife conservation. It assists in identifying non-compliance with environmental laws and court directives, and recommends appropriate enforcement actions to the environment ministry.
Hindustan Times
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Central Empowered Committee to inspect Mohali villages over forest, wildlife violations
Acting on a complaint regarding violation of forest and wildlife laws in villages, such as Karoran, Nada, Masol, and adjoining areas in Mohali district, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), constituted by the Supreme Court, is scheduled to visit the region on Monday at 9 am. The CEC will assess the extent of damage caused to forest land, wildlife and the local environment. It will also evaluate the timely action taken by government departments, and based on its findings, will recommend appropriate measures. The said villages under scrutiny fall within areas governed by the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900. These areas are also protected under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, and the Supreme Court's orders. Even during the process of delisting certain areas from protected status, the court had explicitly banned any commercial activity without prior approval from the Government of India. Despite these restrictions, large-scale violations—particularly illegal hill-cutting—have allegedly continued unabated for several years. These activities have led to the degradation of ecologically sensitive and biodiversity-rich areas in the Shivalik Hills. Environmentalists and local residents have accused the forest department, district administration and urban agencies like Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), along with panchayati raj institutions, of failing to prevent these encroachments, raising concerns over the alleged influence of the land mafia in the region. The Shivalik forests are known for their ecological significance, and are home to many endangered plant and animal species, several of which are listed as threatened under the (International Union for Conservation of Nature) IUCN Red List. The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) was constituted by the Supreme Court of India in 2002 (and reconstituted in 2008) to assist in matters related to forest, wildlife conservation and flag cases of official non-compliance with its orders related to conservation. It reports to the Union environment ministry. The committee came into existence after a landmark Supreme Court judgment, dated December 12, 1996, in a 1995 case. The apex court ruled that the term 'forest' should be interpreted in its dictionary sense, regardless of land ownership. This means any land that is forest in character on the ground must be treated as such and cannot be used for non-forest activities without prior approval from the Government of India, in accordance with the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, and other applicable laws.
