NGT orders recovery of ₹2.65 crore fine from BHU for illegally cutting 33 trees
The National Green Tribunal has ordered the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board to finalize a ₹2.65 crore environmental fine against Banaras Hindu University for the illegal felling of 33 trees. The university claims to have exceeded mandated reforestation requirements.
Why it matters
The case highlights the tension between institutional expansion and environmental conservation laws in India.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) to complete the proceedings to levy an environmental compensation (EC) of ₹2.65 crore on the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) for illegal felling of 33 trees, including seven sandalwood trees, as per a recent court order.
On August 11 last year, the NGT had directed the UPPCB to assess and recover the EC within three months, but it was not done.
The Principal Bench of the NGT, comprising of Chairperson Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Afroz Ahmad, gave the current order while hearing an execution application filed by advocate Saurabh Tiwari seeking compliance of the August 11 order.
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