The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a stay on alleged felling of trees on a piece of land in Noida where a cremation ground is being constructed.
Issuing notices to the Environment Ministry, the Uttar Pradesh government, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Noida Authority, the Bench headed by judicial member Jawad Rahim said on Wednesday, “Till further orders, there shall be no felling of trees on the property in question by all [authorities] concerned and a statement that they have complied with this order shall be filed along with the statement of objection.”
Noida Master Plan
The plea, filed by the Residents’ Welfare Association of Sector 92 in Noida had alleged that a cremation ground located along the south-east boundary of Sector 92 was being established in violation of the Noida Master Plan. “The said action of the respondents is in clear violation of the Master Plan and shall cause environmental degradation and physical harm to the residents of the locality,” read the plea.
Further, the petition stated that proximity of the cremation ground to the residential society will result in residents being hassled.
“The residents of the sector will be exposed to the stench and smell of burning flesh, which by virtue of being airborne will be inhaled by the residents along with a huge amount of ash, that is also released in the air.”
It added that the plot in question was designated as forest land under Noida Master Plan. “It is pertinent to note that the parcel of land where the respondent number two is proposing to develop the said cremation ground, as per the Noida Master Plan 2021, has been recorded as a city forest. Further, the authority has also carried out a massive drive of illegally cutting down trees in the city forest area for construction of the boundary wall,” the petition added.
