In a first-of-its-kind environmental penalty in Uttar Pradesh, five individuals in Bijnor have been slapped with a fine of ₹2.66 crore for illegally cutting down 17 mango trees without permission. The case, which dates back to 2019, has finally led to action after six years, with the Forest Department filing a charge sheet in court.
What Happened?
On November 17, 2019, the Forest Department raided a farm in Yusufpur Hamid village after receiving a tip-off about illegal tree felling. They found 17 mango trees being cut and loaded into a tractor without valid permission. The tractor was seized on the spot and an FIR was registered under the Uttar Pradesh Tree Protection Act.
Who Are the Accused?
The five accused are:
- Brajpal Singh
- Mazhar
- Yamin
- Tahzeeb
- Shahid
Despite being served a legal notice on March 17, 2025, none of them appeared in court, leading authorities to consider this a silent admission of guilt.
How Was the Fine Calculated?
The Central Environmental Committee of the Supreme Court has estimated that cutting one tree causes ₹74,500 worth of environmental damage annually. Based on this, the damage caused by the destruction of 17 mango trees aged around 15 years was calculated at ₹2.65 crore. An additional ₹85,000 fine was also imposed, bringing the total to ₹2.66 crore.
What’s Next?
The case will be heard in the Chief Judicial Magistrate's (CJM) Court on May 20, 2025. This is considered a landmark case in enforcing environmental accountability and could set a strong precedent across India.
