Pranav B Prem

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report highlighting large-scale felling of trees across Madhya Pradesh for infrastructure and industrial projects, observing that the issue raises serious concerns regarding compliance with environmental laws and the rising impact on air quality. The Principal Bench of the Tribunal, comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson) and Dr. A. Senthil Vel (Expert Member), registered the matter as an Original Application based on a news report published in Dainik Bhaskar on January 8, 2026, which stated that more than 15 lakh trees aged between 50 to 100 years had been cut in the State for various development activities.

Also Read: NGT Dismisses Sagar Paper Mills’ Appeal After CGWA Withdraws Erroneous Groundwater Demand

Taking note of the report, the Tribunal observed that extensive tree felling has been carried out for projects including roads, coal blocks and construction activities, particularly in cities such as Bhopal, Indore and Gwalior, as well as in regions like Singrauli. The Bench recorded that the destruction of such a large number of mature trees has contributed to a rise in Air Quality Index (AQI) levels across the State.

The Tribunal referred to specific instances highlighted in the report, noting that in Singrauli Block alone, around 35,000 trees were felled over 1,397.54 hectares of forest land, out of which 1,335.35 hectares constituted dense forest. It was further reported that an additional 5.7 lakh trees are proposed to be cut in the same area. In Khandwa’s Kargol region, approximately 1.25 lakh trees are proposed to be felled for a railway project.

Other proposed and ongoing projects mentioned in the report include the cutting of about 25,000 trees in Vidisha for the Bhopal–Kanpur Highway, around 3,000 trees for the Indore–Ujjain project, 7,871 trees in Bhopal for a 10-lane road project, and significant tree felling in Gwalior, where 3,000 trees have already been cut and 6,700 more are proposed to be felled.

Upon consideration of the material placed on record, the Tribunal observed that the matter prima facie indicates violations of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. It held that the issue raises substantial questions relating to compliance with environmental norms and the effective implementation of laws covered under the scheduled enactments. The Bench also referred to the Supreme Court’s decision recognising the power of the Tribunal to take up matters suo motu in cases involving environmental concerns, noting that such intervention is necessary where large-scale ecological damage is alleged.

Accordingly, the NGT impleaded multiple authorities as respondents in the matter, including the Director General of Forests, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC); the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, Madhya Pradesh Forest Department; the Member Secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB); the Member Secretary of the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Madhya Pradesh; and the Integrated Regional Office of the MoEF&CC at Bhopal.

Also Read: NGT Flags Alleged Construction In Violation Of GRAP-III & IV, Issues Notice And Directs CAQM To Conduct Verification

The Tribunal issued notice to all the respondents, directing them to file their responses by way of affidavits at least one week prior to the next date of hearing. It further directed that if any respondent chooses to file a reply directly without routing it through counsel, such respondent shall remain virtually present to assist the Tribunal during the proceedings. The matter has been listed for further consideration on March 09, 2026.

Cause Title: News Item Titled " मध्य प्रदेश में इस साल 15 लाख पेड़ कटेंगे" Appearing in Dainik Bhaskar Dated 08.01.2026

Case No: Original Application No. 20/2026

Coram: Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson) and Dr. A. Senthil Vel (Expert Member)