Greater Noida: In what is emerging as a disturbing trend of environmental neglect and administrative apathy, two shocking incidents of illegal tree cutting have rocked the rapidly developing smart city of Greater Noida. Within days, two green zones, one in Sector CHI-3 and another in Sector Pi-3, have seen unauthorised felling of over 100 fully-grown trees, raising serious concerns about governance, builder-official nexus, and the future of urban sustainability in the region.
10 Trees Illegally Cut During Minister’s Visit in CHI-3
In the first incident, 10 trees were illegally chopped down in the CHI-3 sector green belt, shockingly during the visit of KP Malik, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The felled trees, primarily Vilayati Babul (Prosopis juliflora), were cut without any prior permission from the Forest Department, a clear violation of forest laws.
Following complaints, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Pramod Kumar constituted an investigation team led by Forest Rangers Love Kaushik and Abhigyan Suryavanshi. The investigation confirmed the illegal activity, and an FIR was registered against a supervisor from the Greater Noida Authority and a private contractor involved in the act.
The claim was that the trees were dry, but our inspection proved otherwise. They were healthy, no cutting permit has been issued.
Pradeep Kumar, DFO
100+ Trees Vanish Overnight in Pi-3: Residents Catch the Truck, But Offenders Flee
In a far more alarming incident, nearly 100 green trees were felled overnight in the prominent green belt opposite Stellar Icon and Unitech Heights housing societies in Sector Pi-3. According to residents, the wood was loaded onto a truck and taken away in the dead of night, with no official notice or permission.
We woke up to a desert. This was our oxygen zone for years. Now its just mud and stumps.
Anita Bhalla, Resident, Stellar Icon
Residents tried to stop the truck and alert authorities, but the culprits fled before they could be apprehended. Residents called the Forest Department and even approached Beta-2 Police Station, but received lukewarm responses. SHO Vinod Kumar stated that no written complaint had been received.
Tree cutting cases fall under the jurisdiction of the Forest Department.
Vinod Kumar, SHO, Beta 2
Meanwhile, DFO Pramod Kumar Srivastava confirmed that a fact-finding team had been formed and a report would be submitted by Tuesday.
We are taking this case very seriously. Strict action will follow once the findings are in.
Pramod Kumar, DFO
Shifting Responsibility, Zero Accountability
This dual-layered apathy, Forest Department delays and police inaction, has enraged environmental activists and residents alike.
The fact that no authority is willing to take responsibility shows how emboldened the violators have become.
Ravi Shrivastava, Environmentalist
This isn’t the first time Greater Noida’s green belts have been targeted. In a previous case, a builder in Alpha-2 sector had illegally cleared trees under the guise of promoting a real estate project.
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Builder Nexus Suspected, Land Clearing Underway for Future Projects?
Residents allege that the green belt in Pi-3 is a protected zone, which certain builders view as an obstacle to project expansion. Residents suspect collusion between real estate developers and certain officials of the Greater Noida Authority to illegally clear land for upcoming projects.
This is not just illegal trees cutting. It’s a deliberate act to free land for construction under the radar.
Youth, who attempted to stop the wood laden truck
Public Demands: NGT-Led Probe, Replantation, and Accountability
Shocked by the blatant destruction of urban greenery, residents have demanded the following:
- A high-level probe under the National Green Tribunal (NGT) or the High Court’s supervision
- Examination of CCTV footage and vehicle registrations to identify culprits
- Heavy penalties on violators, along with mandatory replantation drives
- Long-term policy to protect green belts from builder encroachments
This is not just about the trees, it is about our rights to breathe clean air, our children’s future.
Dinesh Chaddha, Retired school teacher
Environmental Irony: Tree plantation drives on one hand, Tree ,assacres on the other
At a time when the state government is promoting large-scale tree plantation campaigns, the ground reality in Greater Noida tells a different story. The juxtaposition of celebratory plantation events and covert tree cutting activities has made many question the true commitment to environmental protection.
While the government claims to plant crores of saplings, thousands of full grown oxygen producing trees are being axed overnight, with no one held accountable. Its not just ironic, it’s shameful.
Ravi Shrivastava
Conclusion: Concrete is rising, but green is dying
Greater Noida, envisioned as a modern, green, and livable urban hub, is now witnessing a steady erosion of its lungs. Unless swift and strong action is taken, what’s left of its green cover may soon be lost to concrete, dust, and unchecked pollution.
A tree is not just timber. It's tomorrow's breath."