Delhiites are breathing easy as the National Green Tribunal (NGT) stayed felling of 16,500 trees in South Delhi colonies to build residential complex till further hearing.
The NGT on Monday not only directed the National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) and Central Public Works Development (CPWD) to not cut trees but also served a notices on them and asked Government agencies to submit their replies before next hearing on July 19.
Showing concern about trees felling, the Bench headed by acting Chairperson Justice Jawad Rahim issued notice to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoUD), the Central pollution Control Board (CPCB) and other Government agencies and asked them to file their replies before next hearing, other agencies served notice are — Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), COF, Delhi Police, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC ), CPWD, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) and NBCC.
The Bench also directed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF &CC) to submit a response.
“Therefore, even though we give sufficient time to the project proponent to file their replies to the interim relief, but we are satisfied that a prima facie case is made out for grant of ad-interim order in the nature of protective order so as to protect environment ... And its preservation is essential.
“Hence applying the precautionary principle, we direct the Respondent No. 1 and 2 to maintain status-quo, particularly in the matter relating felling of the trees and direct that there shall be no felling/cutting/destruction of the trees till further order by this tribunal,” the Bench said.
Incidentally, the NBCC on the direction of the MoUD had started chopping of fully grown old tress in Netaji Nagar, the matter came in to limelight when locals objected and glued themselves with tress marked Chipko-II.
Interestingly, the Bench served noticed to all twelve Government agencies State and Central involved in passing proposals to build township.
The green Bench also directed the project team to mention exact numbers of tress which are proposed to be cut for the redevelopment project.
The tribunal was hearing a plea by NGO - Society for Protection of Culture, Heritage, Environment, Traditions & Promotion of National Awareness (SPCHETNA) seeking a stay on the proposed felling of 16,573 trees for re-development of the colonies.
The petitioner claimed that environmental clearance has been granted for seven general pool residential colonies without taking into account possible adverse effect on the ecology.
It said the clearance has been granted for colonies in Sarojini Nagar, Netaji Nagar, Nauroji Nagar through the NBCC and in Kasturba Nagar, Thyagraj Nagar, Srinivaspuri and Mohammadpur through the CPWD.
The plea claimed that planting of saplings at another location as compensatory afforestation would not reduce the burden put on the environment due to the large-scale felling of trees.
Anil Sood, president of the NGO, said the Centre had given clearance to the projects without considering several factors, such as existing population density and the impact of cutting 16,500 trees on the ambient air quality in the area.
Sood said , “Though MoUD Minister made statement in Press that they are reviewing projects but no such statement has been made before the NGT which means the Ministry is blowing hot and cold in the same breath. Sincerity is missing on ground.”
The plea said an environment impact assessment report for the project around south Delhi showed that 11,000 trees will be cut in Sarojini Nagar, 1,465 will be cut in Nauroji Nagar, 3,033 will be chopped off from Netaji Nagar and another 520 will be cut in Kasturba Nagar, out of a total of 19,976 trees in these areas.
The re-development scheme plans to replace existing flats of Type I to IV with a built-up area of around 7.49 lakh square metres with Type II to VI units with built-up area of around 29.18 lakh sq m with supporting infrastructure facilities.
The projects will also develop Government office accommodation of nearly 2.42 lakh sq m in Netaji Nagar. The total estimated project cost of Rs 32,835 crore includes maintenance and operation costs for 30 years and will be completed in five years in a phased manner.