Green Court asks UP Chief Secy to ensure restoration of green belts

The court has also directed him to submit the report within a month. A Bench headed by justice Swatanter Kumar said that the applicant has already stated about the encroachments that have been made in the green belts. 

There are various public authorities in whose jurisdiction the green belts fall, apparently action is required to be taken by multiple authorities and none of them seems to be reacting expeditiously and in accordance with the law. The area falls under the jurisdiction of Nagar Nigam, UPSIDC, GDA, Corporations, Committee and it is their responsibility to maintain the green belt and ensure that there is no environmental or negative impact on ecology. 

“We direct the Chief Secretary of State of UP to hold a meeting of all these public authorities of Ghaziabad, keeping in view the list furnished and the encroachments identified. The Chief Secretary shall direct that appropriate action will be taken by the respective authorities, identify their role and ensure that the green belt in any part of the district is not encroached upon illegally and unauthorisedly. The Chief Secretary will call for the compliance report within specific period and submit a final report to the Tribunal positively before the next date of hearing,” said the Bench.  

NGT’s notice came in the wake of a plea filed by the Society for Protection of Environment and Biodiversity (SPENBIO) and Ghaziabad resident Sushil Raghav seeking demolition of unauthorised and illegal structures located on green belts in the city. 

“Green belts in the city are in a pathetic condition as rampant construction has taken place there. Even the government authorities are involved in several types of construction activities which is a brazen violation of environment norms,” said Akash Vashistha of SPENBIO.