The Delhi High Court today directed DDA to explore the possibility of converting a polluted artificial waterbody and 200 acres of surrounding land behind the 14th century Tughlaqabad Fort into a biodiversity park on the lines of Yamuna biodiversity park.
"Why can't we do something like that (Yamuna biodiversity park) there (near Tughlaqabad Fort)?" a bench of justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Sanjeev Sachdeva asked the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and directed it to come with "positive answers" on the issue on the next date of hearing.
The court also asked the civic authorities why sewage water cannot be recycled as is done in several foreign nations.
"Why can't we do recycling of waste water? Why doesn't anyone think about it. We want positive answers on the next date of hearing," it said and listed the matter for further arguments on February 18.
It directed the Delhi Jal Board and Delhi Pollution Control Committee to take instructions specifically with regard to maintenance of the cleanliness of water in the lake behind the fort within permissible limits.
It also asked the authorities to place before it the minutes of the meeting held on January 29 as per the court's earlier order to chalk out a concrete proposal for treatment of water in the artificial lake.
The court was hearing a PIL filed by one Manoj Kumar seeking clean water for animals and birds in the city.
His petition has said water treatment plants should be set up for purifying water to save birds, animals, trees and the environment.
The High Court on December 24, last year, had directed the Chief Secretary to convene a meeting of officials concerned of DDA, DJB, MCD, DPCC and the forest department to chalk out a concrete proposal for treatment of water in the waterbody.
DPCC today informed the court that the meeting was held on January 29 and sought more time to file the minutes of meeting.
