NGT directs a tree census in Madhya Pradesh after claims that 700 trees were cut for a cricket stadium and road. Geo-tagging of trees mandated.
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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) at Bhopal recently directed the forest authorities in Madhya Pradesh to conduct a State-wide tree census and implement geo-tagging of trees after a plea alleged that 700 trees were felled in an ecologically sensitive area for the construction of a cricket stadium and a road.
Tribunal steps in over tree-felling allegations
In a significant environmental intervention, the Bhopal Bench of the National Green Tribunal has issued a directive for a comprehensive tree census across Madhya Pradesh. This action comes in response to a plea that accused local authorities of illegally cutting down over 700 trees in an ecologically sensitive zone within Shivpuri district to clear land for the construction of a cricket stadium and an adjoining road.
The plea, filed by environmental activists, claimed that the felling was carried out without obtaining the necessary forest clearances. Moreover, the site in question reportedly hosts protected and native tree species, further amplifying ecological concerns.
Geo-tagging trees for accountability
Highlighting the need for greater environmental accountability, the tribunal also ordered that all trees across the state be geo-tagged. This process will digitally map tree locations using GPS technology, allowing real-time monitoring and helping prevent illegal logging or unauthorized tree removal in the future.
Forest officials have been instructed to complete the census and geo-tagging within a time-bound framework. The NGT stated that without accurate data on the state’s green cover, regulatory mechanisms for afforestation and compensatory plantation lose their effectiveness.
Environmentalists welcome NGT’s decision
Several green groups have welcomed the move as a much-needed step toward protecting Madhya Pradesh’s vanishing green cover. “This is a wake-up call,” said Rajesh Joshi, an environmental advocate who was among the first to raise concerns. “Tree felling without scientific assessments has become rampant in the name of development. The geo-tagging order will finally add traceability and transparency.”
Activists also stressed that public infrastructure should not come at the cost of irreparable environmental damage, urging the authorities to consider alternative, eco-sensitive development models.
Past directives and future implications
This isn’t the first time the NGT has taken proactive steps in environmental governance. Similar orders for geo-tagging and censuses were passed in Maharashtra and Delhi in recent years, though implementation remains inconsistent.
The current directive could become a template for nationwide green data collection if executed efficiently. Experts also recommend integrating the upcoming tree census with existing state biodiversity records and public dashboards.
What’s Next?
The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has yet to make an official statement regarding timelines or methodology. However, sources suggest that discussions with local forest divisions and GIS experts are already underway to operationalize the NGT’s instructions.
Environmental lawyers believe this move could pave the way for more judicial oversight of land-use practices and stronger penalties for unauthorized environmental degradation.
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