NGT issues notice to Delhi government on Aastha Kunj Park

The National Green Tribunal today issued notice to the Delhi government and others on a plea seeking directions to restrain authorities from transferring a part of South Delhi's Aastha Kunj Park for private use.
A bench headed by Justice P Jyothimani sought response from the Delhi government, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), South Delhi Municipal Corporation and others by June 20.
The bench, also comprising Expert Member A R Yousuf, ordered that status quo be maintained with respect to the public park and directed DDA to produce necessary documents on the next date of hearing.
The directions came while hearing a plea filed by Sant Nagar Residents Welfare Association seeking directions to restrain authorities from changing the land use from the district park Aastha Kunj to private use.

The Association has contended that Astha Kunj park, which has around 400 trees, is being used for morning walk by the residents of Sant Nagar colony and provides fresh air and green cover to the area.
The plea, filed through advocate Zubeda Begum, claimed that lay out plan of Delhi Development Authority duly records it as the site for a park.

Alleging "nepotism and rampant corruption" among the officials, the plea said various authorities are attempting to part away the valuable piece of land by transferring it to a private person.
"It is also to bring to the notice of this Tribunal that the admitted position is that the Horticulture department of the DDA was maintaining it as a park for last 30 years...

"If the respondents are permitted to fell 400 trees the residents of the area will get choked and left without a green cover," the plea said.
The Aastha Kunj Park, which was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002, is spread over an area of over 100 hectares and is maintained by DDA.
Aastha Kunj park borders Kalkaji Temple, Lotus Temple and ISKCON Temple on its three ends.