Gurgaon: Alleging that several fully grown trees were cut without statutory permission inside a gated housing society in Sector 109, a city resident has approached National Green Tribunal (NGT), prompting the tribunal to seek replies from civic and forest authorities.Hearing the matter on Tuesday, a bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Dr Afroz Ahmad granted four weeks to govt agencies, including MCG and the divisional forest officer (DFO), to file their responses.The tribunal noted that some private respondents linked to the apartment owners’ association have already filed replies. However, the counsel for govt agencies sought more time. The tribunal has now directed that replies be filed within four weeks, with the applicant permitted to submit a rejoinder within two weeks thereafter. The next hearing is scheduled for July 6, 2026.The plea was filed by Gaurav Saluja, who alleged illegal felling of trees within ATS Kocoon, a group housing society in Sector 109.A forest department official said the matter is under examination. “We have noted the tribunal’s directions and will file our response within the stipulated time. We will verify whether permissions were sought or granted and take action as per law if violations are found,” the official said.In an earlier order dated Dec 22, 2025, the tribunal took cognisance of Saluja’s complaint, which alleged that at least two mature bakain trees, over 10 years old, were cut without mandatory approvals. According to the plea, the trees did not fall under any exempted category and could not be felled without prior approval from the competent authority.The applicant submitted that the trees were part of the original green plan approved for the housing project and were allegedly cut at the instance of office bearers of the apartment owners’ association. He also told the tribunal that another tree was cut on Dec 7, 2025, and submitted photographs as evidence.Observing that the application raised “substantial issues relating to compliance of environmental norms”, the tribunal issued notices to multiple respondents, including the MCG, DFO, Haryana State Pollution Control Board, commissioner of police, deputy commissioner and representatives of the apartment owners’ association.With replies now awaited, the tribunal will examine whether tree preservation laws and environmental regulations were violated and if accountability can be fixed for the alleged illegal felling inside the residential complex.
