Chandigarh, May 13 -- A joint committee constituted by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has found prima facie evidence of large-scale illegal felling and uprooting of green and heritage trees on government land in Barnala, allegedly carried out without mandatory permissions and under the watch of officials of the improvement trust.

Calling it a serious violation of environmental norms, the panel has recommended registration of a first information report (FIR) and disciplinary proceedings against the officials concerned.

According to officials, the findings were submitted before the NGT on May 11 by the joint committee comprising representatives of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Union ministry of environment, forest and cli...