New Delhi, April 1 The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has disposed of an original application raising concerns over the concreting of tree trunks in Dehradun and directed the applicant to file a fresh representation, along with supporting photographs, to the divisional forest officer (DFO) and the relevant urban local body.
A bench comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel was hearing the matter, urging the deconcreting of tree trunks in Uttarakhand.
The green body was hearing a plea regarding the widespread concreting around trees using impermeable materials, such as non-permeable tiles, in violation of established tree-protection norms. The applicant had submitted photographic evidence with geo-coordinates to support the claims.
The applicant's counsel highlighted that similar applications had been filed earlier, but were withdrawn on May 8, 2025, as the applicant was directed to approach the relevant authority to raise the grievance and seek action. The applicant made a representation to several authorities on May 28, 2025, but no action was taken.
The tribunal took note of the matter and reiterated its earlier directions in the case of Aditya N Prasad Vs Union of India, which had mandated the removal of concrete within at least a one-meter radius of tree trunks to ensure their survival and healthy growth. It supported its stance by citing two more judgments of the principal bench of the NGT, directing authorities to act in accordance with the earlier orders.
The tribunal allowed the applicant to submit a fresh representation, along with supporting photographs, to the DFO and the head of the relevant urban local body.
Upon receipt of such representation, the authorities have been directed to take appropriate action after ascertaining the status of the concreting of the trees reflected in the photographs within four weeks. They have been directed to document this in the action-taken report that will be submitted to the registrar general.
The tribunal emphasised that a failure to comply with these directions may lead to further consideration of the matter.