NGT pulls up authorities over "unscientific deconcretisation"

The National Green Tribunal has rapped authorities for damaging trees while carrying out "unscientific deconcretisation" in the capital.
"It has been brought to our notice that while carrying deconcretization of trees often the roots of the trees are damaged or are exposed which ultimately results in felling of trees. We had clearly directed that deconcretization of trees would be carried with care and caution following prescribed procedure.
"We had directed that where roots of the trees are exposed immediate steps would be taken to layer them with soil and ensure that their roots are provided with support. All public authorities were directed to comply with these directions. Despite the above, they failed to comply with the directions," a bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

The Tribunal directed that deconcretization of trees would be carried out under the supervision of at least an officer of the rank of the Executive Engineer, supported by officers from the Horticulture Department of NCT of Delhi.
It also said that in case of any damage to the roots of the trees, the Head of the Department shall be personally responsible for the same and asked concerned authorities to submit status report to the Committee by April 7, next date of hearing.
The NGT was hearing a plea by Aditya Prasad alleging that despite various orders of the tribunal, deconcretisation of the trees has not been carried out effectively.

Earlier, the Tribunal had appointed Sharan Thakur, an advocate, as local commissioner in the matter and directed him to inspect the colonies -- R K Puram, Safdarjung Development Area (SDA), Ashok Vihar and Hauz Khas -- on day to-day basis.
It had also set up five different committees constituting of officials from different agencies including Delhi Development Authority, PWD and Central Public Works Department to carry out deconcretisation.