New Delhi, Jul 3: Not a single tree would be cut and status quo be maintained on tree felling till further orders in seven South Delhi colonies by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the National Buildings Construction Corporation, the National Green Tribunal directed on Monday.
A bench headed by Acting NGT Chairperson Justice Jawad Rahim issued notices to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, NBCC, Central Pollution Control Board, Central Public Works Department, South Delhi Municipal Corporation and others, asking them to file their responses before July 19, the next date of hearing.
The green panel directed the project proponents to make a categorical statement and inform it about the exact number of trees proposed to be cut for the redevelopment project for about half a dozen colonies.
The NGT said that although the case commenced before the High Court, but keeping in mind the likely imminent danger to the ecology and the proposal of the project proponent to fell around 17,000 trees, was likely to seriously impact the environment unless a proper impact assessment is done.
It also impleaded the Ministry of Environment and Forests as a party in the case and sought its reply in the matter before next date of hearing.
