Green notice to government on Rajokri roads

NEW DELHI: Taking cognizance of TOI reports on the illegal construction of three roads inside the Rajokri Forest, an application has been filed with National Green Tribunal (NGT). The environment watchdog has now sent notices to the Delhi government and other agencies concerned.

Amicus curiae Raj Panjwani said, "The ridge area is being used for several non-forest purposes without any prior permission of the central government which is a clear violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, and orders of the Supreme Court."

The Bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar has issued notices to the secretary, department of environment and forests, Delhi; chief secretary of Delhi; DDA vice chairman; chairman of Ridge Management Board and the Delhi Police commissioner. They have to reply by March 14.

TOI first highlighted the unauthorized construction on February 28 and pointed out that large-scale dumping of debris had taken place in the reserved forest to create a road that had been used by heavy vehicles like trucks.

The application also mentions illegal construction in Sanjay Van, based on a report by Toxics Link, an NGO, and use of the central ridge forest land as a polo ground by the President's Bodyguard.

"A large part of the forest land in the southern ridge area has been encroached upon by various religious institutions and private entities which are causing immense damage to the pristine ecology of the area. A preliminary report on the status of Sanjay Van dated November 2010 to May 2011 clearly depicts the illegal land encroachments taking place in the area and the destruction caused to the forest land due to dumping of garbage and burning of plastic bags," the application says.

It adds that "a complaint with regard to the blatant transgression by the armymen of the President's Bodyguard was made to the chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden, government of NCT, but till now no action has been initiated by the forest department and all such illegal activities are going unabated".