NGT issues notice to Punjab govt over illegal felling of 150 Khair trees in Ropar
The application also alleged that the trees were axed in collusion with senior forest officials, leading to serious ecological damage
PTC News Desk: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the Punjab government over alleged illegal felling of valuable Khair trees in government-protected forests of Ropar district.
The application, filed by advocates Naginder Benipal and Udit Baghel on behalf of social activist Pardeep Sharma, sought urgent intervention against what has been described as an organised operation by a “timber mafia” in the ecologically sensitive Shivalik foothill region.
The application also alleged that the trees were axed in collusion with senior forest officials, leading to serious ecological damage including loss of biodiversity, destruction of wildlife habitat and accelerated soil erosion in the fragile Shivalik ecosystem.