National Green Tribunal unhappy with Uttarakhand's reply on June floods

NEW DELHI: National Green Tribunal today voiced dissatisfaction with Uttarakhand government's "self -complimentary" reply on issues regarding the recent natural calamity, questioning its "silence" on what it has done to restore ecological damage and prevent its recurrence.

"Show us something that will save people from such a disaster again," a bench headed by Tribunal (NGT) Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar told the state government, asking it to place on record a comprehensive reply by November 20.

The NGT said, "Your affidavit is a self complimentary affidavit.... We are dissatisfied with the content and scheme of the affidavit (filed by Uttarakhand)."

It noted that while the state claimed to have provided monetary aid to people affected by the calamity, it is "totally silent" on steps it has taken or it intends to take in order to restore the ecological balance of the region and prevent ssuch an incident from happening again.

"We had required affidavit on preventive and precautionary steps taken/policy made to ensure such calamities do not reoccur. In this regard affidavit is totally silent," the bench said.

The bench listed the matter on November 20 by when the state was directed to place on record a comprehensive reply, from its Chief Secretary, on the preventive and precautionary steps taken by the government.

Uttarakhand was also directed to clearly define in its affidavit how it intends to take up development projects in the state, especially in the ecosensitive areas.

The NGT on September 9 and 26, the last two hearings, had directed Uttarakhand to apprise the bench about the steps taken to ensure restoration of ecological balance and prevention of re-occurrence of such a disaster, but the state is yet to satisfy the tribunal's queries.

Meanwhile, the environment ministry was directed to file a "proper affidavit" regarding the recommendations made by it which the state government has flouted.

The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by the NGT Bar Association on the June floods that ravaged the state and the effect on the people and the environment there.