New Delhi, July 10 -- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) to complete proceedings within three months to recover an environmental compensation of Rs 2.65 crore from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) over the illegal felling of 33 trees on its Varanasi campus.

The direction came after the tribunal noted that the process to recover the compensation had not been completed despite its earlier order. While BHU has undertaken compensatory afforestation by planting 978 saplings, the NGT has asked the pollution control board to finalise the recovery proceedings within the stipulated time.

The case relates to the alleged illegal cutting of 33 trees, including mango, Gulmohar and seven san...