Govt rapped for being ‘casual’ in marking Ridge
THE TRIBUNAL DIRECTED THAT THE FINAL DEMARCATION REPORT BE FILED ON MARCH 13
NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal has criticised the Delhi government for its “casual” approach in demarcation of forest land in the Southern Ridge area and asked it to complete the exercise within a month.
A bench headed by Justice SP Wangdi said despite assurances by the revenue department and other authorities concerned that the demarcation work would be completed within a prescribed time frame, nothing has been done.
The green court warned that in case the order was not complied with, disciplinary proceedings would be initiated against officials concerned and a cost of ₹2 lakh would be paid by each respondent, particularly revenue and forest department of Delhi government.
The tribunal directed that the first status report of the work be filed within 15 days from February 26 and the final demarcation report should be submitted on March 13.
The NGT had earlier directed the Delhi government to adhere to the time schedule and expeditiously carry out demarcation of the area falling within their limits. It had said that the city government was frustrating the orders of the green panel on one pretext or another and showing “disdainful conduct” in the matter.
The order came while hearing a bunch of pleas field by South Delhi resident Sonya Ghosh and others against encroachments on forest land in the Southern Ridge area and seeking their removal.
NGT SEEKS REPORT ON TREATED WATER
The National Green Tribunal has directed civic authorities to file an action taken report on making a pipeline operational to supply treated sewage water for gardening in a South Delhi colony.
A bench headed by Justice SP Wangdi asked the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), South Delhi Municipal Corporation and the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to make the pipeline functional in Vasant Kunj so that fresh water is not wasted.
The green court also directed the authorities to consider the suggestions of the applicant in the case and implement them expeditiously.
“We have taken on record a note filed on behalf of the applicant placing certain suggestion to get over the impediments. We direct them to consider the suggestions and, if practicable and technologically feasible, to implement those at the earliest. We are of the view that as the issues raised in the application are not complex, these can be addressed without much delay conveniently.
“We expect the DDA, MCD as well as DJB to resolve this issue and file an action taken report and, if they are not successful, to submit a specific time line for completion of the work,” the bench said and posted the matter for further hearing on February 28.
The direction came while hearing a plea filed by retired Rear Admiral AP Revi seeking directions for supply of treated sewage water in Vasant Kunj for gardening and other purposes so that they do not have to use fresh water. The plea had said that treated water should be used for the maintenance of greenery in the Vasant Kunj area.