Shimla, Nov 21,
The National Green Tribunal’s Principal Bench in New Delhi has sought fresh compliance from the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) in a case involving alleged illegal hill-cutting and tree felling at Mahalat village in Una district. The matter was heard on 20 November 2025 by a Bench comprising Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, Judicial Member, and Dr. Afroz Ahmad, Expert Member. The case originated from an application filed by Bhavak Parasher, who alleged that Indu Walia had “removed mountain top using bulldozers and loaders and has dumped the muck across the streams and down the hill and thereby damaged the hilly topography of the area”
The Tribunal had earlier disposed of the matter on 27 August 2024, holding that “respondent 1 is liable to pay environmental compensation” and that authorities were “under an obligation to take punitive and remedial action … for causing damage to environment due to illegal cutting of trees.” It had directed the HPSPCB to “determine environmental compensation for the damage caused to environment… and recover the same… within a period of 03 months” and to also “take appropriate, punitive and remedial action for restoration of environment which has been damaged due to illegal felling of trees”
In response, the HPSPCB filed a compliance report dated 13 December 2024, informing the Tribunal that it had, in consultation with the Forest Department, calculated environmental compensation of Rs 3,83,870. The report stated that the amount was assessed using a methodology framed by the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board, noting: “Environmental Compensation of Rs. 3,83,870.00… has been calculated… against illegal tree felling as per directions of the NGT in OA No. 147/2024,” and confirming that it had imposed the amount on respondent Indu Walia through an order dated 12 December 2024
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After reviewing the report, the Bench observed that “further directions… [were] necessary” and consequently issued notice to the HPSPCB, directing it to file an additional compliance report before the next hearing. The matter has now been listed for further orders on 30 January 2026
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