NGT Forms Committee to Probe Illegal Tree Felling in Mathura's TTZ

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) created a five-member joint committee to investigate allegations of illegal tree felling in the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) in Mathura. A petition by advocate Narendra Kumar Goswami claims over 454 trees were unlawfully cut, leading to ecological damage and the death of various wildlife species.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday established a five-member joint committee to investigate allegations of illegal tree felling in Mathura's Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), Uttar Pradesh.

The action follows a petition filed by advocate Narendra Kumar Goswami, who contends that over 454 trees were unlawfully felled at Dalmia farms on Chhatikara Vrindavan road on the night of September 18-19.

A bench led by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava directed the committee, which includes representatives from various environmental bodies, to visit the site and submit a report within two months. Further proceedings are scheduled for January 22.

The committee, comprising members from the Central Pollution Control Board, the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, and other agencies, was also tasked to investigate allegations of collusion between a realtor and local authorities, as mentioned by Goswami.

The plea claimed that the deforestation resulted in the tragic deaths of various wildlife, including snakes, peacocks, and turtles, and undermined the ecological sanctity of Vrindavan.

(With inputs from agencies.)