NGT forms new panel to probe encroachments on green belts in district

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 10

In a petition filed by the Council of Engineers against alleged encroachments upon green belts at BRS Nagar, the NGT has rejected the report submitted by the PPCB, District Magistrate and Municipal Commissioner and formulated a new committee to conduct the probe.

Earlier, a city-based NGO, Council of Engineers, led by its president Kapil Arora, had filed an application before the NGT against alleged encroachments on the green belt along the Lodhi Club Road at BRS Nagar, Jagraon Bridge to Sherpur Chowk Road, and a park near Manju Cinema.

Now, the NGT has ordered to constitute another committee, comprising of the representatives of the Regional Officer MOEF&CC and the CPCB and representative of the PPCB (preferably some officer from Chandigarh to be nominated by its Member Secretary). The newly constituted Joint Committee would have to submit a report within two months.

According to the NGT order, the Municipal Corporation of Ludhiana is directed to upload the details regarding all the 892 parks and 20 acres of new green belts and parks developed on its website or the district administration’s website within one month from the date of this order.

The uploaded information must include requisite details regarding boundaries, length, width and revenue number (if any); encroachments (if any) and action taken for their removal; and mechanism evolved for redressing grievances regarding the removal of encroachments.

The local Municipal Corporation is also directed to document the survival rate of plantations and conduct census of trees within the MC area within two months and take remedial measures for the protection of plants and trees. The MC Commissioner is directed to file an Action Taken Report in this regard on or before October 31.

The Chief Secretary to the Government of Punjab has been asked by the NGT to place the matter before the Punjab Legislature to consider the desirability of enacting legislations for the protection of trees, green belts and parks, said petitioner Kapil Arora.

The petitioner added that the Chief Secretary has been also directed to issue appropriate administrative instructions for protection of trees, open spaces, green belts and parks till the enactment of such legislations.

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