The National Green Tribunal today directed the Centre and the Delhi government to submit a detailed report on transplantation of 36 trees which were proposed to be relocated for the redevelopment of Pragati Maidan complex as a world-class convention centre.
A bench of acting NGT Chairperson Justice Jawad Rahim also directed the forest department to make available relevant records about the "enumeration of trees".
"The respondents and the project proponent are directed to submit report with regard to relocation/transplantation of 36 trees which is mentioned in the earlier report by the forest department.
"In the meanwhile, the report be submitted to the applicant within three weeks," the bench said and posted the matter for hearing on August 9.
The NGT was hearing a plea filed by environment activist Verhaen Khanna and others seeking inquiry against officers of the ministry and others who "completely failed in discharging their statutory duties" by granting the EC.
The plea filed in the tribunal has sought quashing of the environmental clearance (EC) granted to the India Trade Promotion Organisation for re-development of Pragati Maidan complex into a world-class convention centre.
"The EC was obtained by concealing material information and the appraisal of the project has been conducted in complete violation of the provisions of the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006," the plea, filed through advocate Meera Gopal, had alleged.
The redevelopment plan is to develop a total of 3,26,065 sq m of built-up area, including 1,19,445 sq m of exhibition space, a convention centre with seating capacity of 7,000 people with a number of different-sized meeting rooms, space for public circulation in phase-I.
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