Shimla, Aug 13 The National Green Tribunal has sought a detailed explanation from the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department regarding the construction of a protective platform around an approximately 200-year-old Banyan tree located in a protected forest area in Kangra district.
The principal bench of the tribunal, comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Afroz Ahmad, in an order dated August 11 directed the principal secretary of the Forest Department to clarify the position by filing an affidavit within six weeks. The order was made available on Thursday.
The Forest Department, in its response submitted before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), had stated that the work involved only a small protective sitting platform (tiyala) around the existing Banyan tree.
It said the purpose of the construction was to protect the approximately 200-year-old tree, prevent soil erosion around its base and ensure public safety, adding that the construction activity had already been stopped.
The respondent authorities further stated that the work was undertaken as a preventive and protective measure in view of the tree's age, heavy public footfall, its proximity to a government school and recurring heavy rainfall and natural calamities in the region.
The applicant had raised a grievance regarding the alleged unauthorised construction of the platform in the Jawali area, contending that the requisite permission had not been obtained.
Noting that it was not disputed during the hearing that the Banyan tree is located in a protected forest area, the NGT asked the respondents to justify how the platform around the existing Banyan tree was constructed and whether permission, if any, was obtained for undertaking the construction.
It listed the matter on October 30 for the next hearing.
