NGT Seeks Presence of Uttarakhand Officials

• 03 Mar 2025

Why in News? 

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Member Secretary of the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board (UKPCB) and the State's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to appear before it in a case involving the illegal felling of 176 trees in Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand. 

 Key Points 

• About the Hearing: 
  • The NGT is reviewing a petition regarding the unauthorized felling of trees for the development of a residential colony by private individuals in Chandpur village, Udham Singh Nagar district. 
• Findings of the Joint Committee: 
  • In its order, an NGT Bench referred to a joint committee report confirming the illegal felling of 176 trees. 
  • The tribunal stated that environmental compensation must be recovered for the unauthorized deforestation. 
  • The joint committee investigating the matter includes: 
    • The District Magistrate 
    • The Dehradun regional office of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change 
    • The Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board (UKPCB) 
• Tribunal's Directives: 
  • After reviewing the report, the NGT sought a response from the Uttarakhand Chief Secretary and other concerned officials. 
  • The tribunal stressed the importance of personal appearances by: 
    • The Member Secretary of UKPCB 
    • The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) 
  • It directed them to attend the next hearing physically or via video conferencing to assist in the case. 
  • The tribunal emphasized that their presence is crucial for a just and proper adjudication. 

 Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board (UKPCB) 

• It is a statutory organisation established under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. 
• The UKPCB is responsible for the prevention, control, and abatement of pollution in the state of Uttarakhand, India. 
• It is headquartered in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.