NGT orders recovery from forest officers in Bhilwara tree felling case

JAIPUR: The Central Zone Bench of the National Green Tribunal has directed the state forest department that environmental compensation of about Rs 1.31 crore be recovered from eight forest officials, including two IFS officers, and a private individual allegedly involved in illegal tree felling in Bhilwara.

The direction came during the hearing of an application filed by green activist Rajendra Tiwari before a bench comprising Sheo Kumar Singh and Sudhir Kumar Chaturvedi Monday.

The applicant alleged large-scale illegal uprooting of trees from reserved forest land in Bhilwara district, carried out in violation of environmental norms.

The applicant’s counsel Vaibhav Pancholy said, “Relying on a preliminary inquiry, the report names DFOs Gaurav Garg and Rahul Jagadiya, ACF Payal Mathur and RFO Prabhu Ram Dhun, for facilitating the uprooting of trees and diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes. The activity was carried out using 10-15 JCB machines, in violation of provisions of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.”

The inquiry report assessed the damage to forest land at nearly Rs 1.31 crore. It indicated that more officials and individuals may be involved, and suggested that a deeper probe by an expert agency could reveal the full extent of the matter. The applicant further claimed that the illegal activity extended over more than 250 hectares of forest land.

Earlier, the tribunal had directed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) to take strict action and assign the inquiry to a confidential team. In response, the state forest department informed the NGT bench that several officials have been placed under suspension and departmental proceedings have been initiated. The matter has also been referred to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, and chargesheets are expected to be filed soon.

During the hearing, it was argued that while action has been initiated, the issue of compensatory recovery had not been adequately addressed. Taking note, the tribunal directed that the environmental damage be assessed and recovered from the erring officials as well as from a private individual, identified as Peer Mohammad, who was allegedly involved in the illegal activity.

Counsel for the state submitted that FIRs have already been registered and disciplinary proceedings are underway. The tribunal, however, observed that the process must be expedited and taken to its logical conclusion. So far, a total of eight officials have been suspended in connection with the case, including one IFS officer, two Regional Forest Officers, three Foresters and two Assistant Conservators of Forests, with disciplinary proceedings initiated against all of them.

“We expect that disciplinary action against the delinquent employees must be taken as soon as possible in due process of law, and necessary environmental damage must be recovered from the persons concerned,” the bench observed.

A senior official said, “The matter is under consideration before the tribunal and directions have been given to the respondents to file a reply within three weeks.”

Box

Illegal Cutting Period: Detected during inspections and inquiries in Nov 2025

Reserved Forest Affected: Narayanpura Beed (Asind Range)

Area Impacted (Reserved Forest): 58 hectares

Protected Forest Affected: Ghas Pilamagara (Shahpura Range)

Area Impacted (Protected Forest): 10.67 hectares

Reserved Forest Affected: Narayanpura Beed (Asind Range)

Area Impacted (Reserved Forest): 58 hectares

Protected Forest Affected: Ghas Pilamagara (Shahpura Range)

Area Impacted (Protected Forest): 10.67 hectares
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