Jaipur, Nov. 3 -- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Rajasthan government to introduce a comprehensive tree-monitoring mechanism, including mandatory geo-tagging of all trees, a census across cities and districts, and stricter scrutiny of proposals to fell more than 25 trees. The NGT's Central Zone Bench in Bhopal has directed the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), Rajasthan, to constitute a high-level Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to examine the necessity and justification of such proposals and explore alternatives to minimise or avoid tree felling. The directions were issued on November 2 while hearing an application filed by Anil Kumar Sharma against the Rajasthan government and others over the alleged unauthorised felling of around 800 fully grown trees in a public park at Chomu House in Jaipur's C-Scheme area. The tribunal also directed compensatory afforestation for felled trees, with saplings monitored for at least five years. It asked the committee to consider plantation ranging from 10 to 100 times the number of trees felled, depending on land availability and local conditions. The tribunal ordered mandatory geo-tagging of all trees in the state, with data on their location, species and number made publicly accessible and shared with the office of the chief conservator of forests. It also directed a comprehensive tree census across all cities and districts, to be monitored by the PCCF or an officer nominated by him. The mechanism is expected to help maintain an accurate record of tree cover, track changes and identify unauthorised felling. Emphasising that compensatory afforestation should not be a mere numerical exercise, the tribunal observed that restoring the green cover lost due to the felling of mature trees could take 70 to 100 years. It said the time required for trees to regrow and the quantity of oxygen they would generate during their lifetime should be factored into environmental compensation. The tribunal directed district magistrates to ensure that no tree is felled without permission from the competent authority. It also asked the PCCF to ensure strict enforcement of relevant provisions and immediate action against illegal tree felling. On the allegations concerning the Chomu House park, the tribunal constituted a joint committee comprising representatives of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the additional principal chief conservator of forests, the Jaipur district collector and the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board . The committee has been directed to inspect the site and submit a factual report, including details of action taken, within six weeks. The RSPCB will serve as the nodal agency. The applicant alleged that around 800 fully grown green trees were being felled in the public park without requisite statutory permissions. According to the application, the land was originally allotted by Thakur Raj Singh and had been in continuous use as a public park since 1960. It further alleged that unauthorised persons had demolished the Jaipur Development Authority's boundary wall and initiated large-scale tree felling without approvals from competent authorities. The application also flagged declining tree cover, encroachment on forest land and inadequate enforcement of environmental protection laws in Rajasthan. Taking note of the wider environmental implications, the tribunal issued notices to the respondents and sought a site inspection and factual assessment by the joint committee. The bench comprised judicial member Justice Sheo Kumar Singh and expert member Sudhir Kumar Chaturvedi. The matter will be heard next on December 16, 2026....