Centre's response sought on plea to consult MoEF on projects

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) today sought responses of the Centre and Delhi government on a plea seeking that the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and the Forest and Wildlife departments be consulted during planning of developmental projects like building roads.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also issued a notice to DDA's Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning & Engineering) Centre (UTTIPEC) and sought its response by September 4 on the plea which wants the MoEF and the Forest and Wildlife departments of Delhi government to be taken on board UTTIPEC.
The petition, filed by environmentalist Aditya Prasad, said "direct the concerned respondents to take the MoEF and the Forest and Wildlife departments of the Delhi government on board the UTTIPEC while planning and implementing projects so that the destruction to the environment can be mitigated."

"All developmental projects in Delhi require approval of the DDA under the DDA Act, 1957, through the UTTIPEC, which is responsible for planning and approving projects undertaken by various departments and civic agencies," the petition said.