Chandigarh, July 25 -- The Punjab forest department has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that it has recovered Rs.10.99 lakh as environmental compensation from contractor and other violators for the illegal felling of 113 trees, damage to forest land and the unauthorised installation of a concrete batching plant during the Sirhind Canal lining project in Ludhiana district. The department has asserted that it has fully complied with the tribunal's earlier directions and sought dismissal of the execution application.

In an affidavit filed on July 23 before the principal bench of the NGT, Rajesh Kumar, divisional forest officer (DFO), Ludhiana, stated that prompt action was initiated against the offenders and compensation was reco...