Tree felling: NGT issues non- bailable warrants against IFoS officer

The National Green Tribunal has issued a non-bailable warrant against an Indian Forest Service (IFoS) officer for not appearing before it in a case related to felling of trees in the Kandi belt of the semi-hilly region of Punjab.
A bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim said the IFoS officer Harsh Kumar Sharma was directed to explain his stand as it was "prima facie" found that he had indulged in a "conduct of defiance" against the tribunals November 24 last year order.
The tribunal was hearing a plea seeking action against the officer who, as the chief conservator (hills), had in January issued orders to some landowners in the Kandi belt allowing them to cut trees in the area despite a blanket ban on tree felling there.

However, Sharma today moved an application seeking cancellation of the non-bailable warrant, which will come up for hearing tomorrow.
In its order, the bench said "It was prima facie found that the officer had indulged in conduct of defiance against the orders of the Tribunal dated November 24, 2017. The State counsel submits that the officer has been transferred from the post he held earlier due to similar conduct and government had issued him letter of warning.
"Taking note of the above facts we order non-bailable warrants against Harsh Kumar Sharma, Chief Conservator of Forests (IT) presently posted at in the sum of Rs 25,000 to the satisfaction of the arresting Officer.. The non-bailable warrant shall be executed by the SHO of the concerned area for his production before the tribunal."

This is the second time that Sharma has issued a letter permitting felling of trees.

In November last year, he had appeared before the tribunal and tendered unconditional and unqualified apology for allowing felling of trees and said that the letter for permission was issued under some misconception.
The tribunal had in May 2016 taken strong note of indiscriminate cutting of trees for various road-widening projects in Punjab and restrained public authorities from felling trees in the entire state without its "specific permission".
The order had come during the hearing of petitions filed by Chandigarh-based Peacock Environment and Wild Life Protection Society and one Dr Amandeep Aggarwal who alleged that there was reckless cutting of trees in Nawanshahr and Jalandhar districts for various road widening projects and canal banks.