Chandigarh: The Chandigarh Administration has filed an affidavit before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) detailing the felling of 305 green trees and the removal of 34 dead trees for the proposed bulk material market in Sector 56 (West).Submitted by deputy commissioner-cum-estate officer Nishant Kumar Yadav, the affidavit states that due procedure and requisite approvals were obtained prior to the tree cutting, and 986 mango trees have been planted as compensatory plantation—exceeding prescribed norms.According to the submission, the executive engineer of the horticulture division secured approval from the competent authority, following which 305 green trees and 34 dead or dry trees standing at the project site were removed in June 2025 to secure the land.The administration informed the tribunal that prior to granting approval, competent authorities conducted a site inspection, and clearance was accorded based on the recommendations of the Tree Felling Committee.“In compliance with the applicable norms, and against removal of 305 green trees, compensatory plantation of 986 mango trees has been carried out on July 5, 2025, at Rajinder Garden, Sector 1, Chandigarh, which is well above the prescribed number of trees. All the trees so planted are healthy and are being duly maintained by the concerned horticulture wing,” the affidavit states.Explaining the scope of the project, the submission added: “The project aims to achieve rehabilitation of marble dealers, scrap dealers and furniture market units, with well-planned integration of functional components such as booths, association offices, warehouses, transport areas and allied infrastructure and is intended to transform scattered and unregulated activities into a structured and efficient trade.”
