Bathinda: Police have registered an FIR for theft against unknown persons in connection with the illegal felling of trees in Barnala, despite a National Green Tribunal (NGT) committee recommending that officials be charged with theft of public property and criminal breach of trust. The incident has sparked outrage as it involves the uprooting of a large number of trees, including several heritage trees estimated to be 50 years old.
Background of the Case
Officials of the Barnala Improvement Trust, along with other authorities, have been accused of illegally uprooting a significant number of trees. Following formal complaints, a three-member NGT committee visited the site on April 30 and submitted its report on May 12. The report indicted trust authorities for being allegedly complicit in the destruction and misappropriation of trees, recommending that the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) be directed to register an FIR against them.
Police Response and FIR Registration
Barnala SSP Sarfaraz Alam told TOI that the FIR was registered on May 17, following letters written by the Improvement Trust executive officer on March 2 and 30 claiming the trees had been stolen. The SSP cited verification of facts as the reason for the delay in registration. He denied that the police had received any official communication from the NGT regarding the FIR. "Appropriate action will be taken once we receive official communication," he said. Despite repeated attempts, Improvement Trust executive officer Rajesh Kumar did not respond to calls for comment.
NGT Recommendations and Legal Framework
The NGT recommendation was made under Section 4.1 of the ‘Tree Preservation Policy for Non-Forest Government and Public Lands-2024', which mandates that landowners use provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to penalise offenders and deter illicit felling. The committee also recommended that the competent authority immediately initiate formal disciplinary proceedings under the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules against the complicit officials.
Assessment of Damages
Following the unauthorised felling, the forest department conducted an assessment to determine the volume and commercial value of the uprooted wood. Based on girth measurements and the schedule of compensation rates 2025, the market value for 55 identifiable trees has been calculated at Rs 1.31 lakh. The committee recommended that this assessed value be recovered as a penalty from the responsible officials.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges in enforcing environmental regulations and protecting public property. The NGT's intervention underscores the seriousness of the matter, and further action is expected once official communication is received by the police.
