Threat to green belt in South Delhi: NGT notice to Delhi govt

South Delhi residents today moved the National Green Tribunal against the increasing commercial activities and encroachment in the "green belt" located along the Mehrauli Badarpur Highway in Saket.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar issued notice to the Delhi government and South Delhi Municipal Corporation while seeking their reply by September 23.
The direction came on the plea of South Delhi residents Tripta Sood and Vivek Pande who have sought directions to maintain status quo to protect the green belt, which is about 1.5 km long and 13m wide, from any change in land use, tree felling, encroachments etc.

According to the petition, this green belt, which has more than 1500 trees, acts as a "green buffer" between the busy Mehrauli Badarpur highway and the houses on the Gurudwara road siphoning out the air and noise pollution.
It also shields Vidya Niketan school and provides protection to the school children from noise and pollution.
"The green belt has been protected by a concrete walled running on its boundary throughout the entire stretch. Unfortunately, some residents have demolished the wall in front of their homes and use the green belt for parking vehicles.

"Similarly a patch of the green belt is being used as a passage to access the Saket Metro station both by two wheelers and pedestrians," the plea alleged.

It further said that the green belt has been maintained by MCD employees, NGOs and the residents of Gurudwara road since 1980.
"Direct that the encroachment for parking and other activities in green belt located on Mehrauli Badarpur highway between the 1.5 kms stretch of highway and Gurudwara road be removed and the boundary wall in these areas be reconstructed," the plea said.