India, Aug. 13 -- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the chief secretary of Haryana to file an affidavit disclosing the decisions and steps taken towards enactment of the Haryana Tree Preservation Act, 2026, to regulate tree felling in non-forest areas of the state.

The direction came during a hearing on alleged large-scale tree felling and arbitrary compensatory plantations in Gurugram between November 2024 and November 2025. The tribunal questioned the lack of a mechanism to regulate tree felling on private land not covered under the Punjab Land Preservation Act.

"Your authorities are not listening to the needs of the environment. Either project proponents are too strong or authorities are weak. Your conduct is affecting the ...