NGT Slams Bhopal Municipal Corporation for Illegal Tree Felling in Kolar, Orders Detailed Afforestation Report in Two Weeks

NGT Pulls Up BMC for Environmental Negligence

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Central Zone Bench in Bhopal on Friday issued a sharp rebuke to the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC), accusing it of flouting environmental norms and ignoring repeated court directions related to illegal tree felling during road construction in the Kolar area.

The case, filed by environmental activist Nitin Saxena, revealed that 4,105 trees were cut without compliance with the Madhya Pradesh Tree Preservation (Urban Areas) Act, 2001, which mandates compensatory afforestation for every tree felled.

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₹10.94 Crore Deposited, Yet No Permission

According to the petition, the Public Works Department (PWD) had already deposited ₹10.94 crore to obtain the necessary permission for tree cutting. However, the BMC delayed granting approval for more than a month and later failed to present a formal response to the NGT for over 18 months, despite receiving multiple reminders.

The Tribunal termed this behaviour “unacceptable” and noted that the civic body’s inaction not only violated environmental law but also demonstrated administrative apathy toward ecological preservation.

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Tribunal Orders Data Disclosure and Accountability

Expressing deep concern over the scale of the violations, the NGT has directed the BMC to submit a comprehensive report within two weeks detailing:

• The total number of trees cut across Bhopal in the past five years.

• Funds collected and utilised for compensatory afforestation.

• The actual number of trees planted and their survival rate.

• The current number of living trees and their respective health percentages.

The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for 12 November, during which the Tribunal will review the corporation’s compliance and consider further action if discrepancies are found.

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Environmentalists Welcome NGT’s Intervention

Local environmental groups have praised the NGT’s firm stand, calling it a long-awaited step toward holding urban authorities accountable.

“Bhopal has been losing its green cover at an alarming pace due to unchecked construction. The Tribunal’s direction will push for transparency and ensure compensatory plantations actually happen,” said an environmental researcher based in the city.

Activists have also urged the state government to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and involve independent agencies in auditing tree plantation drives, arguing that civic self-reporting often lacks credibility.

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A Broader Wake-Up Call

Experts say the case underscores a wider trend of urban development projects in India overlooking ecological safeguards. While compensatory afforestation is a statutory requirement, implementation on the ground remains inconsistent due to weak monitoring and bureaucratic delays.

The NGT’s directive to BMC could serve as a precedent for similar cases across the country, ensuring that development projects no longer come at the expense of environmental degradation.