NGT defers proceedings on tree felling in Delhi colonies
The green panel said that Delhi high court was already seized of the issue and parallel proceedings should be avoided.
New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday deferred proceedings on a plea seeking a stay on the proposed tree felling in seven South Delhi colonies, saying that “simultaneous consideration” of the same issue at different legal forums was not appropriate.
The green panel said that Delhi high court was already seized of the issue and parallel proceedings should be avoided. It said that it would look into the issue once the high court decides the matter.
“The order of Delhi high court dated July 4, proceeded on the same issue... Simultaneous consideration of the same issue at different legal fora is not appropriate. Accordingly we defer proceedings,” a bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said.
The tribunal was hearing a plea by NGO Society for Protection of Culture, Heritage, Environment, Traditions and Promotion of National Awareness, Green Circle and city resident Utkarsh Bansal seeking a stay on the proposed felling of more than 16,000 trees for re-development of the colonies.
The tribunal had earlier extended its order to maintain status quo on tree felling in seven South Delhi colonies by the housing and urban affairs ministry and the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC). On the last date of hearing, the tribunal had said not a single tree would be cut and status quo be maintained on tree felling till further orders.
The green panel had directed the project proponents to make a categorical statement and inform it about the exact number of trees proposed to be cut for the redevelopment project for about half a dozen colonies.
The petitioners had claimed that environmental clearance has been granted for seven general pool residential colonies without taking into accou-nt the possible adverse effect on the ecology.
The plea said an environment impact assessment report for the project around South Delhi show-ed that 11,000 trees will be cut in Sarojini Nagar, 1,465 in Nauroji Nagar, 3,033 in Netaji Nagar and another 520 will be cut in Kasturba Nagar, out of a total of 19,976 trees in the-se areas. The projects will also develop government office accommodation of nearly 2.42 lakh square metres in Netaji Nagar.