Raj Kumar vs State of Haryana

The applicant has sent the present letter petition with the request for enquiry into the matter of cutting of about 174 trees standing over the area of Government Senior Secondary School Ritoli, Block Pilloo Khera, District Jind, Haryana.

The applicant has submitted that Sh. Anil Kumar, Principal of the above said school got about 174 trees cut and sold in violation of the norms, in the name of preparing playground for the students without any resolution by Gram Panchayat, without constituting committee and without publishing information in the newspapers regarding auction of the trees and caused damage to environment.

Prima facie, the averments made in the application raise questions relating to environment arising out of the implementation of the enactments specified in Schedule I to the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.

We are of the view that the grievances made in the letter petition have to be factually verified and remedial action is required to be taken on the basis thereof by the Director, Directorate of Secondary Education, Haryana in accordance with the obligations under the statutory provisions and the directions issued by Hon’ble Supreme Court and this Tribunal. We accordingly direct the Director, Directorate of Secondary Education, Haryana to verify the factual position, look into the grievances of the applicant and take remedial action including compensatory afforestation within the premises of the above said school in accordance with law by following due process.

Factual and Action taken Report may be submitted by the Director, Directorate of Secondary Education, Haryana within two months by e-mail at [email protected] preferably in the form of searchable PDF/OCR Supported PDF and not in the form of Image PDF, before the Ld. Registrar General, National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi who may, if so considered to be necessary, direct the matter to be listed before this Bench for further orders.

The application is disposed of accordingly.

A copy of this order along with a copy of the application be forwarded to the Director, Directorate of Secondary Education, Haryana by e-mail for requisite compliance.