Tree felling approved by Hussain, says LG
NEW DELHI: Reacting to the claim by the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government, Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Monday said that Delhi Environment minister Imran Hussain gave the permission to cut the trees for the Centre's redevelopment project.
"In the cases of tree cutting of redevelopment of Nauroji Nagar and Netaji Nagar, the proposals for felling of trees were duly endorsed by the Minister (Environment) and the LG had only concurred with the proposals" noted a statement from the LG house.
"An impression is being created in certain sections of media that permissions for tree cutting in case of redevelopment of government colonies have been granted directly by the LG, despite objections of the environment minister," noted the statement, adding that "it is incorrect to say that while approving the proposals, the LG had ignored the objections raised by the minister."
However, Hussain, in a letter to the LG on Monday, noted that he has observed compensatory tree plantation-related deficiencies in colonies such as Nauroji Nagar General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) Colony.
"It is noticed that the Department of Environment and Forest while issuing Notification, dated 15.11.2017, for permitting tree cutting for construction of re-development of Nauroji Nagar (Commercial Complex) has inter-alia mentioned the said order of NGT in Para (c )of the Notification. However, the directions of NGT order dated 22.09.2017 have not been mentioned," noted Hussain's letter.
It also observed that "the plants shall be planted as a condition precedent to the cutting of the trees."
Hussain also wrote that departmental officers should have, from time to time, verified compliance of the conditions stipulated, including the compliance of specific directions of the National Green Tribunal.
"However, there appears prima-facie laxity on the part of Department in ensuring compliance of the various conditions/stipulations mentioned in the various notifications. This calls for thorough enquiry/investigation into the matter," his letter stated.
