देश

NGT stays felling of trees in Delhi till July 19; issues notice to Centre, CPCB

The National Green Tribunal on Monday stayed the felling of over 16,000 trees for development works in south Delhi by the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) till July 19.

Hearing a plea filed by NGO – Society for Protection of Culture, Heritage, Environment, Traditions & Promotion of National Awareness, a bench headed by Acting NGT Chairperson Justice Jawad Rahim issued notices to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Central Pollution Control Board, CPWD over the issue.

The tribunal has asked them all to file their responses before July 19. Earlier, the Delhi high court had stayed the cutting of trees till July 2.

Anil Sood, president of the NGO, claimed that the planting sapling compensatory afforestation would not be able to make up the loss of trees as they would take years to grow.

Sood also claimed that the permission for seven residential colonies wasn’t granted taking into account the burden put on the environment due to large-scale felling of trees.