NGT penalizes Reliance Jio with a fine of Rs. 10 lakhs for illegal felling of trees
[ by Kavita Krishnan ]The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has penalized Reliance Jio with a fine of Rs. 10 lakhs for illegal felling of trees for laying underground Optic Fibre line from Nannoor to Veldurthy village in Andhra Pradesh.The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Kurnool had issued a show-cause notice to Reliance Jio in connection to the felling of 125 avenue trees in Kurnool District...
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has penalized Reliance Jio with a fine of Rs. 10 lakhs for illegal felling of trees for laying underground Optic Fibre line from Nannoor to Veldurthy village in Andhra Pradesh.
The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Kurnool had issued a show-cause notice to Reliance Jio in connection to the felling of 125 avenue trees in Kurnool District for laying Optical Fibre Cable. Reliance Jio replied to the show-cause notice stating that the allegations in the show-cause notice were incorrect and further sought to set aside the ex-parte orders.
The DFO was not satisfied with the reply given by Relaince Jio and imposed a penalty of Rs. 2,09,825/- on Reliance Jio for the illegal cutting of trees. As per the proceedings, M/s Laxmi Constructions (engaged by M/s Reliance Jio Company) remitted an amount of Rs.2,09,825 /- to the Government Head of Account.
Additionally, an offence was registered against M/s. Laxmi Constructions for damaging 125 Avenue trees under section 28 (5) of A.P Water Land and Trees Act., 2OO2 and Rules 4 & 5 of Andhra Pradesh (Protection of Trees and Timber in Public Premises) Rules, 1989.
Considering the magnitude of the violations, the NGT enhanced the penalty to Rs. 10 lakhs. The NGT added that the amount be deposited by Reliance Jio within one month and may be spent by the Forest Department for restoration of the area.