After the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday asked Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to submit its action taken report on rejuvenation of the Neela Hauz lake in South Delhi, the committee that has been working on the project claimed that the lake is in good condition and has become a place for migratory and resident birds.
Importantly, based on a news report depicting the condition of the said lake, the green tribunal chaired by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel directed the DDA to submit the report within a month.
Lauding the importance and role of water bodies in ecology, the green panel has said that conservation of a water body is essential for the environment as it helps in recharging ground water and maintaining microclimate in the area. “The DDA must take necessary steps by way of fencing and preventing dumping of waste. Accordingly, we are of the view that a factual and action taken report needs to be taken from the DDA. Let such report be furnished by the DDA within a month by e-mail at ngt.Filing@gmail.Com.”
However, claiming lake’s condition as quite healthy, Dr Faiyaz Ahmad Khudsar, the eminent ecologist with Delhi University said that in his view the lake is in a pretty good condition and plays host to migratory bird species. “Why would birds visit if the lake is not in good condition to provide required food and atmosphere? We have seen Northern Shoveler here,” said Dr Khudsar, who was the member of Neela Hauz lake rejuvenation committee led by Professor C R Babu.
Meanwhile, the matter is posted for next hearing on August 13.The tribunal’s order came after taking note of the newspaper report which said the ‘Neela Hauz’ lake is becoming a dumping ground. Waste so dumped is being retrieved daily by the DDA but no preventive or remedial action against illegal dumping is being taken which adversely affects conservation of lake, it said.
“As the lake lies on the busy Aruna Asaf Ali Marg and commuters just park their vehicles on the side of the road and dump waste directly into the water body. This ranges from municipal solid waste, plastic bags and bottles, glass to puja material and often includes biomedical waste like syringes, according to officials of the DDA,” the report said.