New Delhi, March 17 -- A panel appointed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has found that 28 trees were illegally felled or damaged at a farm in Chhatarpur in violation of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994.

The issue goes back to October last year when a local approached the forest department alleging that trees were being illegally cut on the property. The department issued a restraining order. However, in January, the resident filed a petition claiming the felling had continued despite the order.

NGT then constituted a joint committee to examine the matter. In its report dated March 6, the district magistrate said that the panel carried out a site inspection on February 13 and "found that 28 trees were illicitly felled, dam...