February 24, 2026 : The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has closed proceedings in a matter related to environmental restoration in Delhi’s Nilothi area after authorities reported compliance with its earlier directions, including plantation of 1,000 trees.
The case originated from a complaint about illegal stone crushing activities operating near a residential locality in Udai Vihar Phase-II, Village Nilothi, in West Delhi. Advocate Pardeep Kadiyan had approached the tribunal through an application alleging that stone-crushing units were functioning illegally and causing environmental damage in the area.
The tribunal had earlier disposed of the original application in July 2022 after authorities reported that four stone-crushing units had been shut down and proceedings had been initiated to impose environmental compensation on the violators. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) was directed to recover the compensation and utilize the funds for environmental restoration in the affected area through a structured action plan.
However, when compliance reports were delayed, the tribunal initiated further proceedings. In November 2023, the NGT directed the DPCC to release ₹8 lakh as environmental compensation to the Department of Forest and Wildlife of the Government of NCT of Delhi for afforestation in Village Nilothi or nearby areas. Authorities were also asked to examine whether a cattle dairy operating in the area required relocation.
Despite these directions, the tribunal found delays in compliance and imposed costs on the DPCC in January 2025 after its explanation was deemed unsatisfactory. The tribunal reiterated that the compensation amount must be used for afforestation and sought a detailed report on the implementation of plantation activities.
In its latest report submitted to the tribunal, the Department of Forest and Wildlife informed that land was identified near the 20 MGD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Nilothi Phase-II for carrying out the plantation drive. After joint inspections and obtaining the necessary no-objection certificate from the Delhi Jal Board, the department carried out the plantation during the monsoon season.
According to the report, around 1,000 trees of species such as Arjun, Goolar, Kadam, Shisham and Kachnar were planted in the area with spacing of approximately three metres between saplings. The plantation was undertaken by the North Forest Division of the Delhi government.
Taking note of the compliance report, the bench comprising Judicial Member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Expert Member Ishwar Singh said no further action was required in the miscellaneous application. The tribunal disposed of the matter but directed authorities to maintain records of the species planted and document the survival of the trees during the maintenance period.
Case Reference : Miscellaneous Application in Disposed of Cases No. 19/2026 in Miscellaneous Application No. 117/2024, Pradeep Kadiyan vs. Government of NCT of Delhi & Others; Counsels: None for the Applicant; Ms. Jyoti Mendiratta and Ms. Ananya Basudha, Advocates for GNCTD, DM (West), Delhi and DCF (North), Delhi; Mr. Nirnay Pratap Singh, LO, DCF (North), Delhi; and Mr. Kush Sharma, Advocate for DPCC (through VC).
