National Green Tribunal
News Item Titled "Parijat Trees Faces ... vs . Ankita Sinha & Ors." Reported In 2021 on 23 July, 2025
Item No.05 Court No. 1
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI
Original Application No. 362/2025
News Item titled "Parijat trees faces extinction risk scientist suggest
botanical reclassification" appearing in the Hindustan Times dated
16.07.2025
Date of hearing: 23.07.2025
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRAKASH SHRIVASTAVA, CHAIRPERSON
HON'BLE DR. A. SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER
ORDER
1. This original application is registered suo-motu on the basis of the news item titled "Parijat trees faces extinction risk scientist suggest botanical reclassification" appearing in the Hindustan Times dated 16.07.2025.
2. The matter relates to the increasing risk of extinction faced by the ancient Parijat tree species in Uttar Pradesh. As per the article, scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences have raised serious concerns about the survival of these centuries-old trees found in locations like Kintoor (Barabanki), Jhusi (Prayagraj), and Sultanpur. The article states that these trees--estimated to be over 800 years old are under threat due to a combination of climate change, declining rainfall, and overharvesting of their bark, leaves, fruits, and seeds. The article also highlights that researchers have proposed a botanical reclassification. The article mentions that these trees are not only the oldest known African Parijats in India, but also among the most ancient specimens of the species found outside the African continent. The article further highlights that the wood of the Parijat tree naturally holds a high water content up to 79% which helps the trees remain upright. 1 However, as moisture levels decrease, the trees become unstable and vulnerable to collapse. The article further notes that the water content in the Parijat tree at Jhusi has fallen to 45.2%, and in Kintoor to 39.7%, indicating that both trees are currently at serious risk.
3. The above matter indicates violation of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
4. The news item raises substantial issues relating to compliance with the environmental norms and implementation of the provisions of scheduled enactment.
5. The power of the Tribunal to take up the matter suo-motu has been recognized by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the matter of "Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors." reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.
6. Hence, we implead the following as respondents in the matter:
i. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Regional Office, Lucknow Kendriya Bhawan, 5th Floor, Sector "H" Aliganj, Lucknow - 226020 ii. Botanical Survey of India CGO Complex, 3rd MSO Building, Block F (5th and 6th Floor), DF Block, Sector I, Salt Lake City, Kolkata - 700 064 iii. District Magistrate, Barabanki Collectorate, Barabanki District Magistrate, Prayagraj District Magistrate Office, Collectorate, Prayagraj iv. Uttar Pollution Control Board, Through its Member Secretary TC-12V, Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow - 226010
7. Issue notice to the above respondents for filing their response/reply by way of affidavit at least one week before the next date of hearing. If 2 any respondent directly files the reply without routing it through his advocate then the said respondent will remain virtually present to assist the Tribunal
8. List on 27.10.2025.
Prakash Shrivastava, CP Dr. A. Senthil Vel, EM July 23, 2025 Original Application No. 362/2025 A 3