Jaipur, Jan. 29 -- The Central Zone Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Bhopal, has taken serious note of the large-scale failure of compensatory tree plantations and alleged misappropriation of funds in forest areas near Kota, Rajasthan, and ordered strict action against erring officials. The bench comprising justice Sheo Kumar Singh (judicial member) and Sudhir Kumar Chaturvedi (expert member), was hearing an application, filed in person by the petitioner, highlighting illegal encroachment and failure to restore about 2,375.86 hectares of forest land, including Lakhawa-I to VIII plantations developed under the Mitigative Measures Scheme linked to National Highway-27. During the proceedings, it was informed that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had deposited Rs.25.72 crore with the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) for construction of stone masonry walls, fencing and large-scale plantations as part of forest diversion clearance conditions. However, inspection reports submitted by senior forest officials revealed that the plantations had largely failed, with negligible survival rates and evidence of fresh re-plantation allegedly undertaken to mask earlier failures, states an official release. The reports pointed to serious lapses, gross negligence and possible misuse of public funds, causing damage to forest land and the environment. Taking note of the gravity of the allegations, the Tribunal issued notices to all respondents and directed the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) and head of forest force (HoFF), Rajasthan, to personally examine the matter. The NGT also ordered initiation of disciplinary proceedings against responsible officials. Further, the Tribunal directed preparation and implementation of a fresh plantation plan over 400 hectares and sought a detailed Action Taken Report along with the new plantation plan before the next date of hearing....