Roads through ridge area: NGT takes suo motu cognisance

Taking suo motu cognisance of a report alleging illegal construction of roads in the Rajokri forest area here, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought response of the Delhi government, DDA and the Delhi Police Commissioner on the issue.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also issued notices to the Delhi government's Secretary of Environment and Forests and the Ridge Management Board.
"Issue Notice to Government of NCT of Delhi through Chief Secretary, Secretary of Environment and Forests, Government of NCT of Delhi, Vice-Chairman, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and Chairman, Ridge Management Board and Commissioner of Police, Delhi," the bench, also comprising judicial member Justice P Jyothimani, said.

The notices are returnable on March 14, this year.
The Tribunal's order came after it was informed about the news report and the issue of alleged illegal encroachment in the southern ridge area through an application filed by amicus curiae Raj Panjwani, assisted by advocate Rahul Choudhary.
The application said the report had alleged that three roads cutting across the Rajokri forest in the southern ridge area have been built unauthorisedly and illegally.

The report had also alleged that several unauthorised constructions have come up inside the forest area and a lot of dumping is taking place there which would result in serious degradation of the forests, according to the application.

It had said that the forest area concerned has been declared as a reserve forest by the Delhi government through its May 1994 notification.
"A large part of the forest land in the southern ridge area has been encroached upon by various religious institutions and private entities which are causing immense damage to the pristine ecology of the area.
"A preliminary report on the status of Sanjay Van dated November 2010 to May 2011 clearly depicts the illegal land encroachments taking place in the area and the destruction caused to the forest land due to dumping of garbage and burning of plastic bags," the application said.