The National Green Tribunal today rapped the civic authorities in Ghaziabad for dumping of solid waste and disposal of sewage in Sai Upvan, the 200 acre forest area in the city. The green panel also directed the Ghaziabad municipal commissioner to appear before it and apprise it about the actual condition there. “It is seen from the photographs that the area where the board of Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam is placed is full of sewage. It is clear that nothing was done by the Nigam despite directions by the Tribunal.
“Even it has not filed reply in the case…In such circumstances we direct municipal commissioner of Nigam to be present before us on Feb 26,” a bench headed by Justice M S Nambiar said. The direction came in the wake of a plea filed by Society for Protection of Environment and Biodiversity (SPENBIO) and Ghaziabad resident Sushil Raghav seeking demolition of unauthorised and illegal structures located in green belts of the city.
Advocate Rahul Choudhary, appearing for the petitioners, told the bench that the area, which was marked as city forest in Ghaziabad’s master plan 2021 was being damaged by felling of trees and dumping of garbage. The city forest is now filled with sewage, which has completely destroyed the area, he said.
“Around 6 lakh trees were planted in the city forest area but as of today very less trees have survived. Moreover, even after several complaints to the authorities, no action has been taken and the city forest is converted into pool of sewage,” Rahul said. During the hearing, the counsel for Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam told the bench that the city forest area does not fall under it and he would file a detailed reply in the matter. On the last date of hearing, the tribunal had stayed construction of a city club in green belt area in Ghaziabad.
NGT/ NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL- slams Rlys over human defecation on tracks:
Is this NGT meant only for the NORTH OR EXTENDS TO ALL OVER INDIA.
If it concern is for India, let these Orders be spread to all the Zonal Railways in Indian Railway System whereat most of the LAND all alongside of the RAILWAY TRACK is spread with Juggies, huts or centered places for dumping of garbage, the city’s storage filled with sewage or solid waste of the sort, Our Municipalities, in my considered opinion is found to be dumbfounded on this issue due lack of men and materials or divert the wastage to some other place/s, or shift the hut dwellers to some other nominated places, which it should include the Railway’s Administration for its lack of interest being shown on these type of places, and just ignore/overlook as it is also found to be facing manpower and proper dumping yards and unable to shift /whisk away the dwellers staying since years. It is felt only the State Government Machinery can do something in coordination with Railways and find ways and means to keep the Railway’s Tracks surroundings clean and tidy and may best utilize the Swatch Bharat Scheme.