NGT seeks response from Centre on construction in sanctuary

NEW DELHI A retired scientist's concern over the upcoming construction within 10-km radius of the Asola Wildlife Sanctuary has led the National Green Tribunal to seek a response from the Centre on the issue.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar issued notice to the ministry of environment and forests, Delhi government, National Board For Wildlife and others while seeking their replies by September 14.

The Tribunal's direction came while hearing a plea filed by CV Singh, retired scientist of Haryana Pollution Control Board, seeking directions to prevent illegal and unauthorised construction works undertaken by the developers within 10-km radius of the Asola Wildlife Sanctuary as the said projects have no clearance from the National Board for Wildlife.

The plea, filed through advocate Gaurav Bansal, said that despite continuous and repeated request from MoEF, the Delhi Government has not notified the eco sensitive zone of the Asola Wildlife Sanctuary, which is continuous violation of the Environment Protection Act and its rules.

The plea has also sought directions to declare the Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the Asola Wildlife Sanctuary and not to issue Completion Certificate to the projects coming within 10-km radius of the sanctuary.

Recently, MoEF, in its notification, had declared that the ESZ in the Okhla Bird Sanctuary will be the area up to 100 m from the eastern, western and southern boundary and up to 1.27 km from the northern boundary of the sanctuary, which extends up to DND flyover across the riverbed situated in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar district and southeast district of NCT Delhi.