NGT directs Hindu College to plant 100 trees in its premises

New Delhi, Jul 9: The National Green Tribunal today asked the Hindu College here to stop construction work of a hostel and plant 100 trees in its premises against the ten trees it has cut.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar asked the college to first plant 100 trees and submit a report after which it can start construction work at its premises in the main campus of the Delhi University. "You (college) must first plant 100 trees against the 10 trees you have felled for construction work.

Submit a report and show us the proof after which you can start the work," the bench said while posting the matter for July 27. The tribunal's direction came after the counsel for the college submitted that it had cut ten trees to facilitate the construction.

The bench was hearing a petition filed by NGO Jai Hind through advocate Gaurav Bansal alleging that the college management was illegally constructing certain blocks in its premises and cutting trees without prior permission from the authorities.

On April 15, the tribunal had restricted the college from cutting trees without prior approval from the forest department or without any specific orders from it. The counsel for the college had then submitted that it has not cut any trees but only trimmed the branches.

The college had also said it would not use ground water or potable water supplied by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) for construction purposes. It had assured the tribunal that it would get water from other sources preferably from the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) of the DJB and would maintain account and documentation in support thereof.

PTI