National Green Tribunal (NGT) has fixed the next hearing on 23rd October on petition to challenging the process of the granting provisional licences for establishment about 1350 new plywood and wood based industries in Uttar Pradesh. A four-member bench headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, hearing the matter on 1st October, has directed all parties, including the UP government, to maintain the status quo until the next hearing of 23rd October, 2019.
The Bench of four members including Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, Justice S P Wangdi, Justice K Ramakrishnan and Dr. Nagin Nanda (Expert Member) in its order stated that since this Tribunal is already considering the matter and has expressed prima facie disapproval for establishment of such wood based industries, we direct that status quo be maintained till the next date.
Talking to the Ply reporter in this matter, Mr. M. P. Singh, Chief Conservator of Forests, UP, said that on whatever grounds the process of licensing has been stopped by the court and whatever questions have been asked to the government till now, all these are being answered by the Forest Department. The government and forest department is constantly presenting their view before the respected court.
It is worth noting that on the basis of the notice issued by the government on 03 March 2019 the provision of new licenses issued for the establishment of 1350 wood based units in UP has been challenged in court. In this petition filed in the NGT, the UP Forest Department has been accused of misrepresenting the quantity of wood available in the state. This matter for further consideration is now listed for 23rd October 2019.