First plant 100 for 10 trees cut, NGT tells Hindu College

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday asked the Delhi University’s Hindu College to stop construction work of a hostel and plant 100 trees on its premises against the ten trees it had cut. The Tribunal has posted the matter for July 27. A Bench -- headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar -- ordered, “You (college) must first plant 100 trees against 10 trees you have felled for construction work. Submit a report and show us the proof after which you can start the work.” 

The Bench was hearing a petition filed by NGO Jai Hind through advocate Gaurav Bansal alleging that the college management was illegally constructing certain blocks on its premises and cutting trees without prior permission from the authorities.The college also cofirmed cutting ten trees to facilitate the construction. 

On April 15, the Tribunal had restricted the college from cutting trees without prior approval from the Forest department or without any specific orders from it. The counsel for the college had then submitted that it has not cut any trees but only trimmed the branches.

The college had also said it would not use groundwater or potable water supplied by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) for construction purposes. It had assured the tribunal that it would get water from other sources preferably from the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) of the DJB and would maintain account and documentation in support thereof.