India, Oct. 13 -- DSRs of Basti and Shamli

In a significant order, the National Green Tribunal on October 9, 2026, directed that the District Survey Reports for Basti and Shamli districts in Uttar Pradesh be set aside.

The tribunal noted that, in the case of Basti district, no replenishment study had admittedly been conducted before the District Survey Report was prepared.

In the case of Shamli district, although a replenishment study had been conducted, it was admittedly not placed before the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee and the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority, Uttar Pradesh, when the District Survey Report was approved in a meeting held on August 1, 2024.

The SEIAA, Uttar Pradesh, had "mechanically approved" ...