Archive · 17 Sep 2026
NGT Orders Madhya Pradesh to Plant 7,000 Trees
More than 700 trees were cut while a road was being built for a proposed cricket stadium in Bhopal.
The National Green Tribunal told Madhya Pradesh officials to plant 7,000 new trees.
This is ten times the number of trees that were cut.
The planting must be finished by September 30.
One report says this deadline is in 2026, while another describes the order as requiring the work within 15 days.
Officials said planting had started in some places.
They said a lack of money and suitable land had delayed the work.
Officials must provide photographs and a report showing what they did.
The tribunal will examine the other issues in the case later.
The National Green Tribunal ordered plantation of 7,000 trees after more than 700 were felled for a stadium road project.
The plantation must be completed by September 30; one report identifies the deadline as September 30, 2026.
The Forest Department and Social Forestry authorities must ensure the plantation is compensatory and maintain the trees’ survival.
Authorities must submit an action-taken report with photographs before the next hearing.
The wider case concerns construction in the Bhoj Wetland catchment, while other legal issues will be considered after respondents file replies.
- Who
- The National Green Tribunal, Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, Social Forestry authorities, state officials, environmentalist Nitin Saxena, and other respondents.
- What
- The tribunal ordered compensatory plantation of 7,000 trees after more than 700 trees were felled during stadium-related road construction.
- When
- The order was reported as issued on Tuesday in one account and Wednesday in another; the plantation deadline is September 30, identified as 2026 in one report, with the next hearing on October 16.
- Where
- The Nathu Barkheda-Neelbad area and the Bhoj Wetland catchment near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- The trees were cut for a proposed cricket stadium and associated road, but the required compensatory plantation had not been completed.
Applicant’s Environmental Concerns
Authorities’ Response
Compensatory plantation
Applicant’s Environmental Concerns
Nitin Saxena’s case said more than 700 trees had been cut while the required compensatory plantation had not been carried out, despite funds reportedly being deposited.
Authorities’ Response
State representatives said plantation steps were underway, some planting had begun, and preparations had been completed after funds were allocated.
Reasons for delay
Applicant’s Environmental Concerns
The applicant challenged the failure to complete plantation after the tree cutting.
Authorities’ Response
Officials attributed the delay to a lack of budgetary provisions and suitable land.
Stadium and wetland construction
Applicant’s Environmental Concerns
The applicant raised concerns that stadium and road construction in the Bhoj Wetland catchment could affect the wetland’s ecology and alleged that the stadium lacked required Town and Country Planning approval.
Authorities’ Response
The authorities’ detailed position on the broader construction allegations has not yet been considered; the tribunal deferred those issues until respondents file replies.
- Trees felled
- More than 700
- Plantation ordered
- 7,000 trees
- Plantation ratio
- Ten trees for each tree felled
- Deadline
- September 30; one report specifies September 30, 2026
- Required evidence
- Action-taken report and photographs
- Next hearing
- October 16
- Reasons cited for delay
- Unavailable budgetary provisions and land
- Location
- Nathu Barkheda-Neelbad, Bhopal
