New Delhi: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the deputy conservator of forests (central) to ensure that at least 10 saplings are planted during the current monsoon for every tree illegally felled at a property in Yamuna Vihar, with the cost to be borne by the violator. In another matter, the tribunal observed that 23 trees were illegally felled in a forest land in Ambedkar Colony, Chhatarpur.In the first matter, the tribunal was hearing a matter related to non-compliance of the NGT’s order passed in July last year about illegal felling of trees from a plot in Yamuna Vihar. The tribunal noted that the original application was disposed of after directing the DCF to take appropriate action under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994.

The forest department, in a report submitted to the NGT, said during the proceedings, it came to their notice that an FIR had already been registered at Bhajanpura police station under Section 24 of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994 in connection with the same incident. The police subsequently informed the department that the investigation had been completed and a chargesheet had already been filed before Karkardooma Court. In view of the pending criminal case, the proceedings before the tree officer were kept in abeyance to avoid multiplicity of proceedings and conflicting findings, said the report.The bench in an order dated July 21 said, “We direct the DCF (central) to ensure that at least 10 saplings are planted during this monsoon as against each tree which has been cut by the person responsible for felling of the tree and they are maintained at least for five years, as far as possible, in the same area at the expanse of the violator.”In another matter, a joint committee informed the tribunal that 28 trees of various species, including Neem, Peepal, Siris, Bakain, Shahtoot and Subabul, had been illegally felled, damaged or heavily pruned without obtaining prior permission under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994. The location is classified as forest land.The bench directed Delhi govt to file a status report within six weeks regarding the action taken against encroachment on forest land and illegal tree felling.