February 23, 2026 : The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has disposed of a complaint alleging illegal felling of trees near the Taj Mahal in Agra, observing that the petition lacked sufficient factual and legal details. However, the tribunal has allowed the applicant to file a fresh and properly structured application with complete information and necessary documents.
The matter was registered as Original Application No. 111/2026 after a complaint filed by Apoorv Sharma on the tribunal’s public grievances portal. The complaint was treated as a case under the NGT’s suo motu jurisdiction, following the legal framework laid down by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs Ankita Sinha (2022) decision of the Supreme Court of India.
The complaint alleged that a large number of green trees were illegally cut within the restricted five-kilometre zone around the Taj Mahal, which falls under the environmentally sensitive Taj Trapezium Zone. According to the applicant, the alleged tree felling took place in the campus and surrounding areas of Agra College on M.G. Road in Agra without obtaining statutory permission.
The applicant also claimed that he had earlier submitted complaints to the Forest Department and other authorities seeking action against those responsible. He further alleged that instead of taking action, officials shared details of his complaint with the accused persons, which resulted in pressure being exerted on him to withdraw the complaint.
During the hearing on February 23, 2026, the bench comprising Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Expert Member Ishwar Singh noted that the applicant had previously sent a letter petition dated October 10, 2025 regarding the same issue. At that time, the tribunal had directed the Divisional Forest Officer, Agra to verify the facts and take preventive and remedial action after hearing all concerned parties.
However, while examining the latest complaint, the tribunal observed that the allegations were not supported by adequate particulars. The bench also noted that although the applicant claimed illegal mining was involved, the complaint itself contained no clear details or pleadings on that issue.
The tribunal emphasized that while it has wide powers to take suo motu cognizance of environmental issues, such jurisdiction cannot be misused without providing specific factual information. It further noted that environmental damage cases require proper pleadings, relevant documents, and clearly identified parties before any direction can be issued.
During the proceedings, the applicant informed the bench that he had completed his law degree. Taking note of this, the tribunal said he was capable of filing a properly drafted application in the prescribed format with all required details.
Accordingly, the NGT disposed of the present application but granted liberty to the applicant to file a fresh petition with complete factual and legal particulars, including necessary documents and parties to the case.
Case Reference : Original Application No. 111/2026; Apoorv Sharma Applicant Versus State of Uttar Pradesh & Ors. Respondents.
