New Delhi: NGT has issued notices to the Delhi govt and the forest department on two separate matters regarding alleged encroachment and access roads through notified forest land in the southern ridge.In the first matter, Devender, a local resident, filed a plea in the tribunal claiming that a road from the forest land was carved in the southern ridge in Asola village. The plea alleged that SDM Saket, on Nov 22, 2021, directed the forest department to remove an obstruction and provide right of way through the forest land to owners of farmhouses B-7, B-8 and B-9. The plea contended that the forest land had not been diverted and that no such permission could have been granted by the SDM. It claimed that other farmhouse owners were also approaching the SDM for giving access to their farmhouses through the forest area.The NGT bench, comprising chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Afroz Ahmad, in an order dated Aug 5, issued notice to SDM Saket as well.In the other matter, Shailendra, another local, raised a grievance regarding alleged encroachment on forest land at Bhati village by certain groups and individuals. Referring to a special task force report, the plea claimed that part of Khasra Nos 961 and 963 at Bhati had been notified as forest land. According to the plea, Tatima (division or sub-part of a plot) had not been prepared for the two khasras, allowing private individuals to encroach upon the forest land and raise constructions there.Observing that the application raises a substantial issue relating to compliance with environmental norms, the bench issued the notices. “Principal Chief Conservator of Forests will get spot verification done and will submit a comprehensive report at least one week before the next date of hearing,” said the tribunal. The matter will be next heard on Oct 15.
