The National Green Tribunal directed the Forest Department of the Delhi Government to give an exact count of trees on the Vikaspuri-Janakpuri stretch here on Outer Ring Road, where an elevated road would be coming up. This comes after questions were raised over the actual number of trees currently on that stretch.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also asked petitioner Aditya Prasad to join the forest officials deputed to undertake the exercise and to
count the trees on that stretch after he said that the number of trees according to the Public Works Department (PWD) is different from the actual figure.
Prasad and the forest officials were asked to inform the tribunal on December 18 about the total number of trees along the stretch and how many of those will be cut.
During the proceedings, apart from the actual number of trees, Prasad also raised the concern that once PWD cuts the trees along the 12 km of its elevated corridor from Vikaspuri to Mukarba Chowk, majority of the stretch would be devoid
of foliage.
The PWD countered his contention saying that only 1,476 of the current 5,116 trees will be cut or transplanted and around 3,640 trees will be saved. It also said that additional trees will be planted after completion of the project and the number will increase to 6,548 after the elevated corridor is finished. Apart from that 14,760 trees will be planted as part of the 1:10 compensatory afforestation plan.
Meanwhile, in a separate matter, the National Green Tribunal also questioned South Delhi Municipal Corporation’s (SDMC)
claim that it conducted an environmental impact
study prior to undertaking the work of covering of drains and building parking lots above them.
The SDMC made the submission before a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar which said, “It appears to be a plain and simple lie. This is a false averment made by you... Show us the original report made by you after conducting the study.”
The bench adjourned the matter to December 17 when the corporation has to provide the original report of the study it claims to have conducted.