Submit video of area covered by Uttam Steels: NGT directs UP

The National Green Tribunal today directed Uttar Pradesh government to submit a video recording of the entire area covered by Uttam Steels and Associates and Shiv Nadar University in Dadri wetlands in Greater Noida on a plea alleging that the habitat of many protected species was being destroyed due to activity of builders.
A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar directed the state to file an affidavit as to which part of the water body is covered and adversely affected by these constructions.
The matter is listed for hearing on October 9.
"The project proponent has filed on record map superimposing the U-shaped water body. The very factum of the U-shaped water body is in dispute.

"The counsel appearing for the state (Uttar Pradesh) would prepare a video-graph of the entire area covered under these projects as well as the U-shaped water body as stated by the Government Officer on the previous date of hearing before the Tribunal," the bench said.
On August 8, Uttar Pradesh had submitted an affidavit after physical verification that there was a U-shaped water body at the site in question.
The tribunal was hearing the plea of two UP-based environmentalists Akash Vashishtha and Vikrant Tongad who had alleged the Dadri wetlands, also called as Bil Akbarpur wildlife habitat and home to the protected black buck species, Nilgai as well as over 200 migratory and resident birds, are being destroyed due to activity of builders and others.

In their petition, filed through advocate Amit Khemka, they had accused the government of inaction and "dragging their feet" in the matter and not doing anything to prevent the "massive damage to these wetlands" caused by the builders.