NGT asks MoEF to issue notification on Okhla ESZ in 3 weeks

The National Green Tribunal today directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to issue within three weeks the final notification on the Eco-Sensitive Zone around the Okhla Bird sanctuary.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said that once the final notification is announced by MoEF, all the stakeholders concerned will be at liberty to challenge it in accordance with the law.
The order came on the plea of Supreme Court lawyers housing society which had moved the tribunal seeking direction to the NOIDA authority for issuance of completion certificate for its 684-flats complex.
The green panel declined to grant relief to the SCBA Multi State Cooperative Group Housing Society but made it clear that all authorities concerned after issuance of the final notification by MoEF, would deal with the application of the society "expeditiously" and in accordance with the law.

"With regard to the prayer of the society that MoEF should be directed to issue the notification expeditiously, and keeping in view the statement made on behalf of MoEF, we direct the ministry to issue the final notification which is being finalized, within three weeks from the date of passing of this judgement.
"All the concerned stakeholders or any aggrieved person would be at liberty to challenge the said notification in accordance with law," the bench said.
SCBA Housing Society had contended that it was not able to obtain completion certificate from the authorities in view of the order passed by the tribunal.

The tribunal had restrained the authorities from issuing completion certificate to the projects which are located within 10 km radius of the Okhla Bird Sanctuary or within the Eco-Sensitive Zone till the time clearance from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) is obtained.