In a significant development, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the State of Uttar Pradesh to clarify the number of trees to be cut for the construction of the 111 km Kawar Marg, also known as the Upper Ganga Canal road.
The directive came in response to an original application filed before the NGT, highlighting concerns over the extensive felling of trees for the project.
The NGT’s Principal Bench, comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Judicial Member Arun Kumar Tyagi, and Expert Member Dr A Senthil Vel, examined the issue recently.
The court was informed that permission had been granted to fell 1,12,722 trees, but the number had been revised to 33,776 trees.
The tribunal directed the State of Uttar Pradesh to file an affidavit clarifying whether the revised number was calculated in accordance with the provisions of The U P Protection of Trees Act, 1976.
The court also sought clarification on whether plants, trees, bushes, and other vegetation being cut for the project, but not counted in the revised number, fell within the definition of “tree” under the UP Tree Protection Act.
The affidavit, to be filed by the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Environment, must specify the exact number of trees to be cut and disclose whether any trees have been cut beyond the permissible width of 15/20 meters.
The NGT’s directive follows an interim report submitted by a Joint Committee constituted by the tribunal to investigate allegations of illegal tree felling.
The report revealed that 17,607 trees had been cut in three districts as of August 9, 2024. The committee’s final report is awaited.
The tribunal also directed the Surveyor General of Survey of India to trace satellite imagery of the project area for 2024 and submit a comparative report on tree cover loss between 2023 and 2024.
The court expressed concern over the lack of information on environmental damage and directed the State of Uttar Pradesh to evaluate and submit a detailed report on the environmental impact assessment of tree cutting.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on November 25, 2024, allowing the applicant to file objections to the interim report and the Survey of India’s report.