NGT: Give report on trees every 6 months

After prohibiting construction and repair within one metre radius of trees, the National Green Tribunal has directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to submit progress reports on deconcretisation and protection of trees in the national capital twice a year.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson justice Swat-anter Kumar also directed the DDA vice chairman to hold a meeting “once in six months” with officials of various municipal corporations and other concerned bodies on the matter.

“We direct the vice chairman DDA to take up one meeting at least once in six months and progress report in relation to deconcretisation and protection of trees falling under the jurisdiction of different corporations — Public Works Department, New Delhi Municipal Council and Delhi Cantonment Board - be prepared.

“It is expected that the orders of the tribunal would be carried out in its true spirit and substance and report must be filed twice in a year, by the chairman, DDA and compliance report be filed before the tribunal,” the bench said. The NGT had earlier issued a showcause notice to the SDMC commissioner asking why contempt proceedings sh-ould not be initiated agai-nst him for violating its order on felling of trees.

It had issued the notice to SDMC commissioner Puneet Kumar Goel, citing violation of its April 2013 orders to public authorities not to carry out construction and repair within one metre radius of trees.

The green panel was hearing a plea filed by green enthusiast and lawyer Aditya N. Prasad who said that the SDMC was digging trenches for construction of new storm water drains in New Friends Colony in South Delhi without having any consideration for the trees on the roadside.

In April 2013, NGT had issued orders prohibiting excavation work within one meter radius of trees and ensuring removal of any concrete structure surrounding trees within one meter.