South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) finds itself at the centre of controversy after allegedly axing over 500 lush Gulmohar trees planted in Nehru Shatabdi Nagar by its previous officials. The large-scale deforestation has sparked intense backlash from environmental activists. Acting on complaints from environmentalists Anil Tiwari and Prathamesh Mishra, the district administration directed an inquiry into the alleged felling of trees within SECL’s Bilaspur headquarters in Chhattisgarh’s Chhathidih region.

 

The patwari report confirmed the unauthorised cutting of 143 trees, including 27 fully grown trees with a four-meter girth and 116 medium to small-sized trees. Following this revelation, Bilaspur SDM Piyush Tiwari has issued a show-cause notice to SECL Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), demanding a response within three days. The SDM has warned that failure to respond within the stipulated period will result in unilateral action as per legal provisions. In notice, the SDM has directly summoned the SECL CMD, stating that the violations are in clear defiance of law.

 

Complainant Amit Mishra reported that around 500 Gulmohar trees, aged between 20 to 25 years, were indiscriminately felled without necessary permissions in Nehru Shatabdi Nagar, located within SECL headquarters. Amid rising concerns, Amit Mishra submitted a memorandum to Collector Avnish Sharan, demanding stringent action against SECL. The SDM’s notice to SECL CMD states that the act of tree felling directly violates Section 240 of the Chhattisgarh Land Revenue Code, 1959, and Rule 5 of the Tree Felling Rules, 2022. It further cautions that under Section 241, Rule 04 of the code, penalty provisions may be imposed if violations are proven.