NGT seeks reply from Uttarakhand PCCF over deputation of forest staff for census duty amid fire season
New Delhi, May 19
The National Green Tribunal has sought a response from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Uttarakhand, regarding the deputation of forest officials for census duty during the ongoing forest fire season in the State.
The issue was raised before the Tribunal by Amicus Curiae Advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal during the hearing of a matter concerning forest protection and environmental damage in Uttarakhand.
The matter was heard by the Principal Bench of the NGT comprising Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, Judicial Member, Dr. A. Senthil Vel, Expert Member, and Dr. Afroz Ahmad, Expert Member, in Application titled Deepika Khari vs Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change & Ors. on May 13, 2026.
The original application pertains to allegations regarding the burning of dry leaves by forest officials in the Badkot Forest Range on the Rishikesh Dehradun road, allegedly causing environmental damage. The Tribunal had earlier directed the Divisional Forest Officer, Dehradun, to examine the grievances, verify facts, and take remedial action in accordance with law.
During the latest hearing, Amicus Curiae Gaurav Kumar Bansal placed before the Tribunal copies of orders dated March 25, 2026, issued by the PCCF (HoFF), Dehradun, through which forest officials were deputed for census-related work.
Adv Bansal referred to the Supreme Court's order dated May 15, 2024, passed in Civil Appeal No. 1249 of 2019 concerning protection of forests, environment, ecology, wildlife and prevention of forest fires in Uttarakhand. He pointed out that the Supreme Court had directed that forest staff and forest vehicles should not be requisitioned for election purposes or for other activities such as the Char Dham Yatra.
Highlighting the seriousness of the issue, the Amicus Curiae submitted that forest officials should not be diverted for census work, particularly during the ongoing summer season when the State faces a heightened risk of forest fires.
Taking note of the submissions, the Tribunal directed PCCF (HoFF), Dehradun, to file a response regarding the deputation orders dated March 25, 2026, in the context of the Supreme Court's directions.
The NGT has now listed the matter on May 26, 2026, specifically to consider the issue raised by the learned Amicus Curiae regarding the deputation of forest officials for census duty, while the matter on other issues will be taken up separately on July 8, 2026.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone from Dehradun, I've seen forest fires getting worse every year. The irony is the same officials who are supposed to protect forests are being pulled for census work. The NGT has done well to call them out. Hope the PCCF gives a proper explanation and stops this immediately. ????
From a governance perspective, resource allocation is critical. The census is important, but so are forest fires especially in a hilly state like Uttarakhand where fires can spread quickly. The Supreme Court's earlier order makes sense, and the NGT is right to question this. Hope the government departments coordinate better in future.
The real problem is that forest department is already understaffed. And then they expect these same people to fight fires while also doing census? I mean, kya logic hai? The Supreme Court order was very clear, but bureaucracy ka kuch nahi keh sakte. Kudos to Amicus Curiae for raising this issue.
I appreciate the NGT's intervention, but the root issue is that forests are viewed as low priority. Meanwhile, we keep hearing about forest fires from Uttarakhand every summer. The census could be done after fire season ends. Why follow the same old pattern of ignoring forest protection during critical times??
Seems like a classic case of poor planning and inter-department coordination failure. The Supreme Court order is from 2024, and even the NGT earlier case about burning leaves shows systemic issues. The PCCF should have respected the order. Let
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