The National Green Tribunal’s Principal Bench in New Delhi has taken suo motu cognizance of a news article relating to the ongoing deforestation at Koteshwar in Gujarat, where numerous trees have been felled.
The news was published in the newspaper on September 20, 2024.
The article highlights the alarming rate of deforestation in the 77-hectare Koteshwar forest in Gujarat, which is home to over 700 species of flora and fauna, including endangered species.
The forest, situated between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, is facing significant environmental challenges due to rampant tree felling, urban encroachment, and plans to transform it into a biodiversity park as part of the Sabarmati River Front extension plan.
Despite recent rains promoting new growth, the extent of damage from illegal logging is evident, with an estimated 40 truckloads of timber smuggled out daily.
The Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, Dr A. Senthil Vel and Dr Afroz Ahamd has identified substantial issues related to compliance with the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, the Biodiversity Act, 2002, and the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
The respondents impleaded in the matter include the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Gujarat, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the District Magistrate (Kutch).
The Tribunal has issued notices to the respondents to file their responses by way of affidavit before the Western Zonal Bench in Pune.
The matter has been transferred to the Western Zonal Bench, Pune, for further action.
The next hearing is scheduled for November 18, 2024.