HC directs authorities to protect Delhi's green belt

New Delhi, May 18 (UNI) The Delhi High Court today directed the authorities to remove all illegal constructions from the Ridge, the only green belt of the Capital.

While acting on the report of Court Commissioner Sidharth Mridul, acting Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Rekha Sharma directed the authorities ''to stop all constructions forthwith'' to preserve the ''lungs'' of Delhi.

Reiterating the order of the Supreme Court, the bench observed that the direction of the apex court had also been violated with impunity.

The act of the officials of the Forest Department, Revenue Department, DDA, MCD, Urban Development and Delhi Government demonstrate not only lack of will but also lack of complete responsibility, said the Court in its order.

Complete apathy had been shown by all the agencies in protecting the ridge, a reserve forest area, from the builder mafia and encroachers.

The destruction of the ridge, part of the Raisina Hills track of Aravali ranges, is a threat to the ecological balance of the capital, the Judges said.

Mr Mridul said builder mafia and encroachers had occupied about 7200 hectares on the southern range of the Ridge near Aya Nagar.

The encroachers had also filled up the water bodies in the Ridge leading to water scarcity in the adjoining locality.

When the Forest officials of Delhi were approached, they expressed thier inability in protecting the green belt saying that the demarcation of the area was not done, said Mr Mridul while submitting some photographs.

UNI PAT PA ND1946