NGT orders status quo on Basai wetland in Gurugram

The National Green Tribunal today stayed the work on a waste treatment plant, being built in the catchment area of Basai wetland in Gurugram, after noting its adverse impact on the water body.
A bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim passed the order after the counsel for Haryana government undertook before the tribunal that it would maintain "status quo" on the construction site till July 27, the next date of hearing.
During the hearing, the tribunal was informed that the boundary wall of the plant, being developed by IL and FS Environmental Infrastructure and Services Ltd, was adjacent to the rich biodiversity of bird species.

The Haryana government, however, said that the area was a not a notified wetland.
The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by NGO Delhi Bird Foundation seeking a stay on the project contending that the Basai wetland, though not declared as a wetland under the Wetland (Conservation & Management) Rules, 2010, was a valuable water body.
"The construction and debris plant which is under process of establishment shall have an adverse impact upon the water body due to various activities connected with the plant," the plea had said.
The plant, according to the Gurugram municipal corporation, will be spread over 3.5 acres of land and process 500 tonnes of waste a day.

The NGT had earlier issued notices to the the environment ministry, the Haryana government, the Gurugram municipal corporation and the IL and FS Environmental Infrastructure and Services Ltd after the NGO alleged that the Basai wetland was in a critical condition due to the project.