NGT Orders Probe into Illegal Tree Felling Along Upper Ganga Canal


Forest Survey of India Report Highlights Violations and Alleged Misrepresentation by Authorities
A senior officer from the Forest Survey of India (FSI) has submitted an additional report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), revealing that tree felling along the Upper Ganga Canal for the 111 km Kanwar Road project has exceeded the approved 20-meter limit.
Taking serious note of this violation, the NGT has directed the Uttar Pradesh (UP) Chief Secretary to verify the matter and take appropriate action against those responsible.


Key Findings from the Additional Report
•    Several locations along the Upper Ganga Canal were found where trees were felled beyond the permitted 20-meter limit.
•    The project did not receive final approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, violating legal requirements for tree-cutting operations.
•    Satellite images from May 2024 confirmed that excessive deforestation had taken place.


Scale of Tree Felling
•    A protected forest stretch of 62 km has already lost 47,067 trees.
•    An additional 49.4 km realignment is expected to result in the felling of another 9,417 trees.
•    The original approval was given for the removal of 112,722 trees and shrubs across Ghaziabad, Meerut, and Muzaffarnagar forest divisions to construct two lanes of road.


Alternative Routes Were Ignored
The report criticized authorities for not considering alternative routes that could have minimized tree cutting.
•    One suggested route passed through agricultural fields on the right bank of the canal instead of felling trees on the left bank, where water alternatives were available.
•    The report noted that public officials responsible for the project failed to address concerns and ignored public inquiries.


Allegations of Misrepresentation and Judicial Misguidance
Satendra Singh, an environmentalist and an intervenor in the Kanwar Marg case, has alleged that government officials are deliberately attempting to mislead the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal (NGT) by presenting false or misleading information.
He contended that such actions amount to an effort to deceive the judicial body and obstruct the course of justice. Furthermore, he asserted that instead of taking concrete measures to address the environmental concerns raised in the case, the authorities have been engaged in a systematic attempt to misrepresent facts and misguide the tribunal.
Singh emphasized that this conduct not only compromises the integrity of the proceedings but also undermines the principles of environmental justice and good governance.


NGT’s Orders and Further Investigation
•    The NGT has instructed the UP government to immediately verify if trees were cut illegally beyond the 20-meter mark.
•    If unauthorized deforestation is confirmed, strict action must be taken against those responsible.
•    The Chief Secretary has been directed to oversee compliance through a competent officer.


Call for Transparency and Accountability
Environmental activists and legal experts have welcomed the NGT's intervention, emphasizing the need for strict enforcement of environmental laws and better planning to protect forest cover.
This case raises serious concerns about unchecked deforestation, lack of transparency in infrastructure projects, and the urgency of balancing development with environmental sustainability.