Today, On 5th January, The National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued a notice to the Delhi government over a plea alleging misuse and illegal encroachment of land designated for afforestation. The land, meant to combat pollution, is claimed to have been repurposed improperly. The NGT has sought the government’s response on the matter. This highlights concerns about environmental mismanagement in Delhi.
New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) requested a response from the Delhi government regarding a plea that claims land designated for afforestation to tackle pollution has been misappropriated.
A bench led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava acknowledged that 125 bighas of land, allocated to the Forest Department for the purpose of afforestation, enhancing green cover, and promoting environmental protection, is currently being used for illegal cultivation and has unauthorized residential and commercial structures built on it.
The bench, which also includes judicial member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and technical member Dr. A Senthil Vel, ordered,
“Issue notice to the respondents (Delhi government and other authorities) for filing their response/reply by way of affidavit before the Tribunal at least one week before the next date of hearing through e-filing.”
The plea was submitted by Kishori Lal, who pointed out that in 2005, the Lt Governor allocated this 125 bigha parcel of Gram Sabha land in Kharkhari Jatmal village, Najafgarh, for afforestation. According to the applicant, the land has been encroached upon by land mafias, resulting in illegal construction and unauthorized agricultural activities. Despite multiple complaints, the Forest Department has not taken action to remove these encroachments.
Additionally, the plea alleges that the demarcation of the land remains incomplete, and there is illegal extraction and sale of groundwater in the area.
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The green tribunal instructed the applicant to serve notice to the authorities and to file an affidavit of service at least one week prior to the next hearing. The tribunal emphasized that if any authority files a response directly without going through legal counsel, that official must be present at the next listing.
The case scheduled for further hearing on April 22.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is a specialized judicial body in India established in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act. It focuses on the expeditious resolution of environmental disputes, including matters related to pollution, deforestation, and wildlife conservation.
The NGT has the authority to enforce legal rights relating to the environment, provide relief and compensation to victims of environmental damage, and impose penalties for non-compliance with environmental laws. It plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable development and ensuring accountability for environmental violations.