NGT issues a show-cause notice to the distribution office

The western bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), an environmental watchdog, has issued a show-cause notice to the District Collector’s Office over their non-appearance for the hearing on tree felling in Wanowrie area. During the same hearing, the court also asked the Forest Department to file an affidavit on the permission requirements for felling of trees.

The chief bench of NGT has taken a Suo Motu action based on a media report about felling of trees in a forest reserve in Wanowrie for a proposed eco-park. According to the NGT order, the news report stated that the Maharashtra Ecotourism Development Board is constructing an ecotourism park on the reserve forest area in Wanowrie, behind the Ruby Hall Clinic. The park will be spread over 10 acres and according to residents’ claim, the administration has cut down around 100 Gliricidia trees for the construction of the park. The residents also alleged that the Forest Department has been cutting down most of the trees in the area in a rampant manner.

The principal bench, after taking suo motu action, transferred the matter to the western bench and asked the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF), Maharashtra Forest Department, to file a response on the felling of the trees.

The first hearing in this regard was held on April 18, and according to the PCCF statement, the trees being felled are Gliricidia Spiumis, popularly known as ‘Undirmari’ and commonly known as Gliricidia, which is an invasive species.

There is a provision in the Forest Department’s work plan which stipulates that Gliricidia Sepium will be gradually captured and systematically removed/eradicated from the forest areas in Pune division.

In response to this affidavit, the bench comprising the quorum of Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh, Judicial Member, and Vijay Kulkarni, Expert Member, NGT said: “The tribunal would like to receive a clear response from the part of PCCF on the facts as whether the trees being felled required prior permission, and if not, where is the provision for that? These facts have not been stated by the PCCF and we therefore direct that a supplementary affidavit in this regard be filed within two weeks.”

Besides, the NGT has also sent a notice to the district office for not appearing in court for the hearing. The order stated that despite early notice of the hearing, no permission had been obtained from the part of the District Collector to appear before this Tribunal nor was any reply affidavit filed in the present original application.

The order also emphasized that in case no one appears from their side on the next date i.e. April 26, the tribunal directs the District Collector or the Magistrate to appear before the court in person.