Shimla, Aug. 14 -- The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Principal Bench, New Delhi, has sought a detailed explanation from the Himachal Pradesh forest department regarding the construction of a protective platform around an approximately 200-year-old banyan tree located in a protected forest area in Kangra district. A former panchayat village head of Sidhpghad village in Kangra district, Paramjit Mankotia (53), approached the NGT in 2025, raising a grievance regarding the alleged unauthorised construction of a platform around a 200-year-old banyan tree situated in a protected forest area of the village, contending that the requisite permission had not been obtained. Mankotia had alleged that excavation began for construction near the school gate reportedly damaged the roots of the ancient tree. It is alleged that a portion of the roots was cut during the levelling of the site for the proposed construction. Mankotia had said that the unsustainable construction around the tree is ecologically and culturally significant which is notified as "reserve tree" and "protected forest". He alleged that the construction has severely damaged its root zone and threatened its survival. During the hearing on August 11, the bench comprising justice Prakash Shrivastava, chairperson and expert member Afroz Ahmad, considered the response filed on behalf of the forest department and district authorities in which it was said that the work involved only a small protective sitting platform (tiyala) around the existing banyan tree. The stated purpose was to protect the tree, prevent soil erosion around its base and ensure public safety. The authorities claimed that the work was undertaken as a preventive and protective measure in view of the tree's age, heavy public footfall, its proximity to a government school and recurring heavy rainfall and natural calamities in the region. The response also stated that the construction activity had already been stopped. The tribunal noted that it was not disputed during the hearing that the banyan tree is located in a protected forest area. In view of this, the NGT has asked the authorities to justify how the platform around the existing tree was constructed and what permission, if any, was obtained for undertaking the construction. The tribunal has specifically directed the principal secretary, forest, government of Himachal Pradesh, to clarify the position by filing an affidavit within six weeks. The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 30, 2026....