New Delhi, April 22: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken on record a response from the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) stating that no permissions for tree cutting or removal have been issued within its jurisdiction over the past five years, in connection with a case related to alleged large-scale felling at Amar Singh College.

The matter is being heard by the Principal Bench of the tribunal in Original Application No. 360/2024, initiated suo motu based on a news report.
A bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, along with Expert Members Dr A. Senthil Vel and Dr Afroz Ahmad, noted during the proceedings that the reply filed by the concerned respondents had been submitted and directed the registry to examine and place it on record.
The tribunal has listed the matter for further hearing on July 2, 2026.
According to the affidavit submitted before the tribunal, the SMC stated that its Tree Authority has not granted permission for cutting, felling, or removal of trees from the financial year 2020–21 to 2024–25.
The corporation said the Tree Authority, constituted under the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation Act, 2000, has not approved any such requests from individuals or government departments during this period.
The affidavit was sworn by SMC Commissioner Faz Lul Haseeb, who affirmed that the information provided was based on official records.
The civic body also informed the tribunal that it has proposed a formal mechanism for processing applications related to tree felling, including a prescribed format and fee structure, which has been submitted to the government for approval.
It said the system will be implemented once clearance is received.
The case stems from reports alleging that 234 trees were cut within the premises of Amar Singh College, triggering public concern and calls for accountability.
The institution, one of the oldest in the region, was established in 1913 and has previously received recognition for conservation efforts, including an Award of Merit in the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation in 2020.
The tribunal is examining the matter in detail, with multiple authorities, including the Central Pollution Control Board and the Union Territory administration, listed as respondents