NGT orders tree census in MP after plea claims 700 trees cut for cricket stadium, road

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) at Bhopal recently directed the forest authorities in Madhya Pradesh to conduct a State-wide tree census and implement geo-tagging of trees after a plea alleged that 700 trees were felled in an ecologically sensitive area for the construction of a cricket stadium and a road. .A coram of Judicial Member Sheo Kumar Singh and Technical Member Afroz Ahmad also called for a report on the tree-cutting allegations from a joint committee comprising one representative each from the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, integrated office at Bhopal, the Central Pollution Control Board, Bhopal, the Additional Chief Conservator of Forest, Bhopa and the State Pollution Control Board, Bhopal..The NGT further ordered the Madhya Pradesh Principal Conservator of Forests to constitute a High Level Centrally Empowered Committee (CEC) to examine proposals, if any, to cut more than 25 trees for development projects in the State. This committee would also suggest measures for compensatory afforestation. With respect to the 700 trees allegedly cut for the cricket stadium, the tribunal added, "It will take a minimum of 70 years to 100 years to again re-generate or re-create the green cover created by cutting of 700 trees and thus the destruction of so many trees adversely affect the environment and life of several human beings. Accordingly, the compensation of compensatory afforestation should be in ratio to that period and ratio to the oxygen generated by the plant during the life time of the trees.".The order was passed on a plea by one Nitin Saxena, who claimed that 700 trees were illegally cut in violation of the Madhya Pradesh Vrikshon Ka Parirakshan (Nagariya Kshetra) Adhiniyam, 2001, for building a cricket stadium and a road within the catchment area of the Bhoj Wetland near the Neelbad - Barkheda Nathu area of Bhopal.He highlighted that the Bhoj Wetland is a Ramsar site of significant ecological value. .The NGT noted that a substantial question concerning environmental law had been raised and issued a slew of directions.One such direction was for the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) to ensure that geo-tagging of all trees be made mandatory. This is so that accurate records of their location, type and number can be maintained. The geo tag data should be published and reported to the Chief Conservator of Forest, the tribunal added. It further ordered a district-wise tree census in the State of Madhya Pradesh. "There should be tree census within the State city wise and district wise to be monitored by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest or official nominated by the PCCF," it said. .The tribunal also called on the State authorities to ensure that there is no cutting of trees without sanction from the competent authority.It took note of media coverage cited by Saxena's counsel, specifically a report published in Patrika on May 6, 2025. This report highlighted the alarming decline in Bhopal’s green cover from 66 per cent in 1990 to 18 per cent in 2011, further dropping to 16 per cent in 2016 and 9 per cent in 2018. It has now reportedly been reduced to approximately 4 per cent, the tribunal noted..The NGT has also sought a response in the matter concerning the felling of 700 trees by the concerned forest authorities. The matter is listed for further hearing on July 23, 2025. .Advocates Harpret Singh Gupta, Pratipal Singh Gupta, Shubham Rawat, Nancy Chaturvedi and Srajan Jain appeared for Nitish Saxena. .[Read Order]