NEW DELHI, APRIL 22: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday took on record an affidavit by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) denying that it had granted permission for the felling of 234 trees at the 112-year-old Amar Singh College, as it listed the matter for further hearing on July 2, 2026.
The case, being heard suo motu by the tribunal’s Principal Bench in Original Application No. 360/2024, pertains to reports of large-scale tree cutting within the college premises.
Appearing in the matter, environmental lawyer Nadeem Qadri termed the incident “unfortunate” and said the damage caused was irreversible. “It will take a hundred years to achieve a similar view and aesthetic,” he said, while also expressing concern over the lack of public response.
The bench, headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and comprising Expert Members Dr A Senthil Vel and Dr Afroz Ahmad, directed the registry to examine and place the SMC’s reply on record.
According to the affidavit filed by SMC Commissioner Faz Lul Haseeb, the corporation’s Tree Authority, constituted under the J&K Municipal Corporation Act, 2000, has not granted permission for the cutting, felling, or removal of trees between the financial years 2020–21 and 2024–25. It also stated that no such requests from individuals or government departments had been approved during this period.
The SMC further informed the tribunal that it has proposed a formal mechanism for processing tree-felling applications, including a prescribed format and fee structure, which has been submitted to the government for approval.
The issue came to light following reports that 234 trees were felled within the college campus. Established in 1913, the institution had received an Award of Merit in the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation in 2020.
Separately, Environment Policy Group (EPG) convener Faiz Bakshi said tree felling in the Valley has become frequent, often linked to infrastructure projects. He cited instances of tree cutting for road widening and other works, including the felling of Chinar trees along the Narabal–Delina stretch.
Bakshi also referred to recent cases where proposed tree felling was halted following public protests, including at Government Degree College Anantnag and a mulberry plantation cleared for sericulture purposes.
He warned that more trees, including Chinar, deodar, cypress, and mulberry, could be affected if the proposed Sangarmal–Rajbagh flyover project proceeds near Polo Ground. “We are losing our heritage through such acts,” he said.
Multiple authorities, including the Central Pollution Control Board and the Union Territory administration, have been listed as respondents in the case.
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