India, Feb. 2 -- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has instructed the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to consider introducing nationwide guidelines or rules for tree protection, regarding how trees are managed.

The tribunal flagged the need for all states and Union Territories to collaborate on a unified framework, warning that inconsistent state regulations and weak enforcement are putting the country's tree cover at risk.

The order was issued on January 27 during hearings on multiple petitions, including Chander Prakash vs Haryana State Pollution Control Board. The case has gained attention partly because Haryana lacks a dedicated law for tree protection.

The NGT recommended that the ministry organi...