Niranjan Bagchi had complained to NGT about the settlements located in the flood area along the Rispana river. Taking cognizance of this, NGT had ordered the removal of the settlements.With the issue of slums becoming a major issue in the civic elections, an order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has created a stir. The NGT has sought a report from the government on the next hearing regarding the slums located in the floodplain of Rispana.Along with this, many officers including Secretary Urban Development, Secretary Irrigation, Dehradun DM have been asked to appear personally in the next hearing. The government is now studying this order. Niranjan Bagchi had complained to NGT about the settlements located in the flood area along the Rispana river. Taking cognizance of this, NGT had ordered to remove the settlements.After this, 89 encroachments were marked at the level of the District Magistrate and a report was sent to the NGT to remove 69 of these. The Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board had also informed through e-mail regarding the flood area that the matter has been sent to the Law Department of the Government for opinion, but after this the Board did not send any reply to the NGT.
The law of the Central Environment Ministry will be applicable
The state government’s ordinance regarding slums has also come to the notice of NGT. On this, NGT has accepted that in this case, not the state but the law of the Central Environment Ministry will be applicable. The bench of NGT’s judicial member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member Dr. Afroz Ahmed has directed the Chief Secretary to present a proposal before the government to remove the encroachment on the banks of Rispana under the Environment Protection Act 1986.
NGT has ordered Secretary Urban Development, Secretary Irrigation, DM, Municipal Commissioner Dehradun, MDDA Vice President to appear personally in the case. The next hearing in the case will be on February 13.The NGT order is being studied. Nowhere does it say to remove the settlement. An appeal will be made against the order after the study. – Nitesh Jha, Secretary, Urban Development