NGT directs completion of proceedings to levy Rs 2.65 cr on BHU for illegal tree-felling

The National Green Tribunal has directed the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board to complete the proceedings for levying an environmental compensation of over Rs 2.65 crore on the Banaras Hindu University for illegal felling of trees.

The green body had earlier formed a panel which said that 33 trees, including seven sandalwood and 26 other tree species, were illegally felled in the 1,300-acre campus, following which it disposed of the matter and directed the UPCCB to assess the environmental compensation and complete the proceedings within three months in August last year.

The petitioner, Advocate Saurabh Tiwari, had then filed an execution application seeking compliance with the tribunal’s directions. In an order dated July 7, made public on Thursday, a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Afroz Ahmad noted that UPPCB had assessed a compensation of over Rs 2.65 crore for the illegal felling of 33 trees, and further steps for imposition of environmental compensation are in process.

The tribunal said that, according to the board’s counsel, proceedings concerning the levy of the environmental compensation will be completed within three months.

It said, “Though the UPPCB has not carried out the direction of the tribunal to complete the proceedings within three months from the date of the order of the original application (OA), considering the circumstances which are disclosed, we extend the time further and direct the UPPCB to complete the proceedings concerning the levy of environmental compensation.”

The tribunal also noted the Divisional Forest Officer’s (DFO’s) report, according to which 978 trees of different species had been planted by the University in 2025 as compensatory plantation, of which 859 trees were found to be surviving and in safe condition.