Cutting of trees in Uday Shankar park: NGT dismisses plea

The National Green Tribunal today dismissed a plea seeking directions for restraining the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) from undertaking any construction work and cutting trees in Uday Shankar park in Greater Kailash-II area here.
A bench headed by Justice U D Salvi dismissed the plea filed by Greater Kailash II Welfare Association after nobody appeared on behalf of the applicant in the tribunal.
"None present on behalf of the applicant... Since then it appears, the applicant has lost interest in pursuing this application any further. Dismissed in default," the bench said.
The tribunal had, on July 2, ordered a stay on any construction work and tree felling by SDMC in the park and issued notices to the corporation.

The bench had earlier said that the issue regarding the permission to cut the trees obtained on alleged misrepresentation of facts need to be presented before the Appellate Authority under Section 14 of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994.
In its plea, the Welfare Association had sought directions for restoration of the environment in the park and restraining of the SDMC from making any constructions.
In the petition, it had claimed that the land was reserved for recreation purposes, and is now being converted and put to use for construction of MCD staff workers accommodation and commissioner's bungalow.