Chandigarh: The National Green Tribunal has taken serious cognisance of large-scale illegal cutting of khair trees in protected forest areas of Ropar district and issued a notice to the Punjab government.
The tribunal has fixed August 5, 2026, as the next date of hearing in the matter. The case stems from a petition filed by whistleblower Pradeep Sharma, who alleged that thousands of trees were cut with the alleged connivance of senior forest department officials and a timber mafia.
According to the petition, illegal felling took place in forest areas of Fatehpur, Bhagwali and Bhangala villages. While the department initially admitted to the cutting of around 150 trees, local sources claim the number could be between 2,000 and 5,000.
The issue gains significance as the Punjab and Haryana High Court had imposed a complete ban on tree felling in the state in December 2025, raising concerns over blatant violations.
The petition further highlighted environmental damage in the Shivalik hills region, including loss of wildlife habitat and increased risk of soil erosion. It has sought a high-level independent probe by officials from the Central Pollution Control Board and the Union forest ministry.
Meanwhile, questions have been raised over the pace of the probe by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau, which had initiated an inquiry after media reports exposed the alleged scam. Experts have warned that continued deforestation in the Shivalik belt could lead to severe ecological imbalance and water crisis in the region.
