Dehradun, April 2 -- The National Green Tribunal's principal bench in New Delhi has directed Uttarakhand forest and urban local body authorities to investigate complaints of tree trunks being encased in concrete in Dehradun and to take remedial action in line with prior orders. The direction came from a bench headed by chairperson Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel during a hearing on an application by Citizens for Green Doon on March 30, 2026. The group alleged that numerous trees in Dehradun have been surrounded by concrete structures and non-pervious tiles, breaching tree protection norms and impeding growth. It submitted photographs with geo-coordinates as evidence. The applicant's counsel told the tribunal that the organisation had raised the issue with authorities via a representation dated May 28, 2025, but received no response. The tribunal noted that earlier orders had already mandated the removal of concrete around tree trunks - within at least one metre - to ensure survival and proper growth. It directed officials to enforce compliance. In disposing of the application, the bench permitted Citizens for Green Doon to file a fresh representation, with photographs and geo-coordinates, to the divisional forest officer and the head of the relevant urban local body. The authorities must verify concretisation at the specified sites and act accordingly within four weeks of receipt, submitting an action-taken report to the NGT registrar general. The matter may be relisted if needed. The NGT order stated: "..we dispose of this OA (original application), permitting the applicant to submit a fresh representation along with photographs enclosed with this OA with geo-coordinates to the concerned DFO and head of the concerned Urban Local Body who on receipt of the same, will duly ascertain the status of concretization of the trees reflected in the photographs and will take appropriate action following the above orders of the Tribunal within four weeks from the date of receipt of the representation and action taken report will be submitted by them to the Registrar General..after four weeks. If it is found necessary, the matter will be listed for consideration before the Bench again"....