February 06, 2026 : The National Green Tribunal has taken suo motu cognisance of allegations of large-scale illegal tree felling at Meerut College and an adjoining green area known as Jafra Wale Bagh, and has ordered a joint inquiry to verify the facts and recommend remedial action.
The matter came before the Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal after a letter petition sent by Vijit Taliyan was treated as an original application. The Tribunal noted that the petition raised serious environmental concerns warranting judicial intervention, in line with the Supreme Court’s recognition of the Tribunal’s suo motu powers.
According to the complaint, more than 100 fully grown trees were allegedly cut and sold from the Meerut College campus, while over 1,000 trees were reportedly felled from the nearby Jafra Wale Bagh. The petition attributes the alleged activity to the secretary of the college’s managing committee and claims that the felling was carried out without lawful permission.
The applicant contended that the alleged acts violated the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and other environmental laws, warning that such large-scale removal of green cover could cause serious ecological imbalance and harm public interest. It was also pointed out that students had repeatedly raised complaints with the Forest Department and the Defence Estate Officer, but no effective action was taken for more than six months.
After examining the application and supporting documents, the Tribunal observed that the allegations prima facie raised substantial questions relating to environmental protection and enforcement of statutory safeguards. It therefore directed the constitution of a joint committee to ascertain the factual position on the ground.
The committee will include representatives from the Uttar Pradesh State Pollution Control Board, the District Magistrate of Meerut, and the Divisional Forest Officer, Meerut. The Tribunal has instructed the committee to inspect the site, hear the complainant and the concerned project proponent, and suggest appropriate remedial measures in accordance with law. The committee is required to submit its report within one month.
The District Magistrate, Meerut, has been designated as the nodal authority for coordination and compliance. The Tribunal has also warned that failure to submit reports within the stipulated time may invite exemplary costs against the responsible officials.
While disposing of the application for the present, the Tribunal clarified that any party aggrieved by the findings of the joint committee or by subsequent action taken by authorities would be free to approach the Tribunal again for appropriate relief.
Case Reference : Original Application No. 47/2026 filed by Vijit Taliyan against the State of Uttar Pradesh and others.
