Environment Ministry orders probe into illegal tree felling at Faridkot medical college

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, has directed the Punjab Forest Department to take immediate action on a complaint regarding the illegal felling of nearly 60 fully grown trees at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot.

In a letter, the Ministry’s Forest Protection Division asked the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF), Punjab, to examine the matter urgently and proceed in accordance with the provisions of applicable Acts, Rules and Regulations. Ravinder Singh, Assistant Commissioner (Forestry), also sought a prompt action-taken report. A copy of the letter was sent to the complainant, Shankar Sharma, convenor of Jal Jiwan Bachao Morcha.

The Ministry’s direction follows a detailed representation submitted on August 17 by Shankar Sharma and 35 social service organisations of Faridkot. The complaint alleged that nearly 60 healthy green trees were cut down on the medical college campus without valid approval.

According to the complaint, BFUHS Vice Chancellor Dr Rajiv Sood admitted that he had approved the tree cutting and formed a committee for it. However, subsequent inquiries revealed that the Forest Department had only carried out valuation of the trees and had not granted permission for felling.

The Jal Jiwan Bachao Morcha termed the incident a “blatant violation” of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, and the Punjab Preservation of Trees Act, 1976, warning that such actions damage the ecosystem and infringe upon citizens’ right to a healthy environment.

The organisation has demanded a high-level inquiry, strict legal action against those responsible, and compensatory afforestation by planting at least 10 times the number of trees destroyed. It has also sought clear directions to prevent government institutions from bypassing legal procedures for tree felling in the future.