‘Encroachments on green belt in Faridabad’

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought the Haryana government’s response on a plea alleging encroachments in Faridabad were affecting the green belt in the area.

A Bench headed by NGT acting chairperson Jawad Rahim recently issued notices to the State government, the Haryana State Pollution Control Board and the Municipal Corporation of Faridabad. The respondents have been directed to file a reply by July 3.

‘No trees left’

The directions came while the green panel was hearing a plea filed by Bharat Bhrashtachar Unmulan Vichaar Manch, which claimed that trees were being cut down in the green belt. “The total belt of greenery which was earlier occupied by big trees and plants has now been converted into a concrete floor... not a single tree or plant remains within this green belt,” read the plea referring to the “dividing road of Sectors 7 & 10 and Sectors 9 & 10”.

‘Made by shop owners’

Seeking directions to the authorities to remove the encroachments, the plea alleged: “The encroachments are being made by owners of showrooms and shops... they are destroying the stretch of the green belt, and without obtaining any requisite permission from competent authority.”

The petition also asked the Bench to “direct the civic body’s Horticulture Department to plant trees alongside the road on the green belt”.