No tree to be cut in Delhi for housing project till July 19, orders National Green Tribunal

The National Green Tribunal on Monday issued notices to the Centre, NBCC and Delhi government on a plea seeking a stay on tree felling for a government housing project in South Delhi. 

The NGT bench, headed by Acting Chairperson Jawad Rahim, also ordered stay on tree felling until the next hearing on July 19. The bench directed National Buildings Construction Corporation to submit details on the exact number of trees that would be felled for the redevelopment of government housing colony in Nauroji Nagar, Netaji Nagar and Sarojini Nagar area. 

A week ago, the Delhi High Court had stayed tree felling in these colonies till July 4, when the matter will be taken up again. The High Court had observed if Delhi can afford large scale tree felling. 

The Tribunal bench was hearing three petitions on the issue. During the hearing, one of the petitioners sought more time to submit details about the project and the bench gave its nod. 

After NBCC commenced tree felling citizens protested against the move in large numbers and questioned the rationale of axing over 16,000 trees when the Capital is already one of the world's top polluted places. A collective of citizen organisations had gathered at the housing redevelopment project site for demonstrating against the project last week. 

The Monday order of the green court came during the hearing of a petition filed by the Society for Protection of Culture, Heritage, Environment, Traditions & Promotion of National Awareness. In its plea, the group claimed that environmental clearance has been granted for seven general pool residential colonies without taking into account possible adverse effect on the ecology.

The plea claimed that planting of saplings at another location as compensatory afforestation would not reduce the burden put on the environment due to large-scale felling of trees.

The plea said an environment impact assessment report for the project around south Delhi shows that 11,000 trees will be cut in Sarojini Nagar, 1,465 will be cut in Nauroji Nagar, 3,033 will be chpped off from Netaji Nagar and another 520 will be felled from Kasturba Nagar out of a total of 19,976 trees in these areas.

The re-development scheme plans to replace existing units of Type I to IV with a built-up area of around 7.49 lakh square metres with Type II to VI units with built-up area of around 29.18 lakh sqm with supporting infrastructure facilities.

The projects will also develop government office accommodation of nearly 2.42 lakh sqm in Netaji Nagar. The total estimated project cost of Rs 32,835 crore includes maintenance and operation costs for 30 years and will be completed in five years in a phased manner.