No tree to be cut without permission: Rohtak DC cites NGT guidelines

All local officers of government departments, educational institutions, urban local bodies, panchayats, public sector undertakings, and other institutions related to land ownership/management in Rohtak district have been directed not to undertake any tree cutting and transplantation activities without obtaining permission from the authorities concerned.

The directives have been issued by Deputy Commissioner Sachin Gupta in view of the National Green Tribunal (NGT)’s latest guidelines regarding the cutting of trees and transplantation in non-forest areas. These orders have been upheld and finalised by the Supreme Court of India.

“Prior permission from the Divisional Forest Officer concerned must be obtained before any tree cutting or transplantation. Before cutting or transplanting trees, an application must be submitted to the Divisional Forest Officer concerned. The application should include complete details of the land (ownership, possession, location, boundaries), total area and site map with coordinates, species and number of trees proposed to be cut/transplanted, clear justification/reason for cutting the trees, and details of the proposed compensatory afforestation along with the identified land,” said the DC.

Gupta maintained that the Divisional Forest Officer would then conduct a site inspection and examine ecological and environmental aspects before deciding on the application.

“While granting permission, it will be mandatory to plant at least three saplings of native species for every tree cut, and their maintenance must be ensured for a minimum of five years. In cases of tree cutting without permission, failure to comply with compensatory afforestation conditions, or damage to unmarked trees, the concerned Divisional Forest Officer will impose environmental compensation. This will include the value of the timber as per Forest Department rates, three times compensatory plantation, and maintenance costs for five years,” said the DC.

Gupta added that this compensation amount would be recovered as arrears of land revenue and will be used solely for compensatory afforestation and ecological restoration works. He has directed all departments to ensure coordination with the Forest Department before planning any developmental project and to make subordinate officers and field staff aware of the NGT guidelines.