NGT sets up panel to probe axing of trees

Taking cognisance of a complaint of illegal felling of nearly 100 trees in Gurdaspur, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted a committee to probe the matter.

The tribunal took the decision while acting on a complaint filed by Dinesh Gupta. The committee comprises the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, a representative of the regional officer of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the District Magistrate, Gurdaspur.

It has sought information on whether any permission was sought by the NHAI before axing the trees. In his complaint, the petitioner had said over 100 trees had been felled during the construction of an underpass on NH-54 at Sohal village, Gurdaspur.