News: MCG, forest dept to clear green belts of encroachments-10-08-2021
Gurgaon: Acting on a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order to remove encroachments from green belts, the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) and the forest department will start inspections across the city from Tuesday.
NGT had on August 6 directed MCG to take action on encroachments on green belts on both sides of the roads in Palam Vihar. The order came when the tribunal was hearing a petition by Vineet Kumar Yadav, a resident. “We will remove encroachment from green belts across the city. Our teams will conduct inspections in Palam Vihar first,” said Subhash Yadav, nodal officer of the environment and sustainability wing, MCG.
“This exercise will be carried out in phases. We will inspect green belts, remove encroachments and then fence the areas properly so that they don’t get encroached upon again,” he added.
The plea had also alleged concretisation around trees in the same area in violation of a 2013 NGT order. In the hearing, the NGT bench headed by chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said it has already directed removal of concrete within a 1-metre radius of trees so that their growth is not obstructed.
“Regarding the concretisation of trees... We direct MCG to take appropriate action in the matter in coordination with the forest department. A joint meeting will be held within one month and an action plan prepared for the purpose. Thereafter, further action will be taken in accordance with law,” the bench said.
An MCG official said concrete has already been removed around trees along major roads in the city.
“We will also inspect all trees and remove concrete if their growth is being affected,” he added.
Meanwhile, a senior official from the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority said they have received complaints about encroachment in new sectors and are working towards a solution. “We will conduct a survey of the areas and will soon remove the encroachments,” the official said.
