NGT stays concretisation of trees in Gurgaon

The National Green Tribunal has directed authorities in Gurgaon not to concretise trees after noting that the process was carried out in the most "unscientific manner".
A bench headed by Justice P Jyothimani issued notice to Haryana government, Municipal Corporation Gurgaon, Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) and others while asking Conservator of Forest to file a status report regarding the number of trees in the district and and how many of them are concretized.
"We are satisfied with the reasons assigned and the photographs filed which show clearly that concretization has been made in most unscientific manner without following the stipulations made in the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Urban Development.

"In such view of the matter there shall be an interim direction against the respondents not to concretize around the trees any further, pending disposal of the application," the bench said while posting the matter for March 12.
The Tribunal was hearing a plea by NGO Haryali Welfare Society seeking direction that all concrete around all trees in Gurgaon should be removed.
The NGO also seeks direction to remove tree guards around the trees that restrict their growth and also that no tree should be used to anchor any electric wires.
"Mindless concretisation by cementing trees as well as the limiting the space of the trees due to the old tree guards is leading to drying of trees and their subsequent death," the plea said.

The plea says the act of concretisation around the trees and of pavement is in complete disregard of guideline issued in February, 2014 by Ministry of Urban Development.