New Delhi, March 31 – The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government, and various authorities regarding alleged widespread environmental degradation in the Sai Upwan city forest in Ghaziabad, where it is claimed that nearly 70,000 trees have been destroyed due to years of waste dumping and sewage inundation.
Taking cognizance of an original application filed by petitioner Rajendra Tyagi, a former municipal corporator and member of the Ghaziabad Development Authority, a Bench headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr Afroz Ahmad directed the authorities to file their replies in the form of affidavits at least one week before the next hearing on July 2.
The notices have been issued to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Uttar Pradesh government, the Central Pollution Control Board, the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, the District Magistrate, the UP Forest Department, the Ghaziabad Development Authority, and the Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam.
In its order, the NGT noted that while multiple issues, including illegal construction, encroachment, cattle grazing, and non-forest activities, were raised in the application, the applicant, through counsel Akash Vashishtha, had focused the matter on concerns related to solid and liquid waste management.
"The learned counsel for the Applicant submits that he is confining this OA only to the issue of solid and liquid waste management," said the Justice Shrivastava-led Bench, permitting the amendment of the application accordingly.
Highlighting the environmental concerns, the application alleged rampant illegal dumping and burning of solid waste within the 200-acre Sai Upwan area, leading to severe ecological damage.
The application also raised concerns about the discharge of untreated sewage and wastewater into a stormwater drain passing through the forest area, which allegedly overflows during the rainy season, submerging large portions of the green zone.
According to the application, nearly 70,000 trees have been affected due to prolonged exposure to waste dumping, accumulation of legacy waste and sewage contamination, significantly degrading the "city forest" under the Master Plan 2021 and 2031.
The NGT, in its order dated March 19, directed the applicant to serve copies of the application to all respondents and file an affidavit of service before the next hearing. It also granted liberty to the applicant to raise other issues concerning the area through a separate application.
Sai Upwan, spread across approximately 200 acres, is considered one of the largest city forests in Ghaziabad and is described in the application as the "green lungs" of the city, playing a crucial role in maintaining air quality in one of India's most polluted urban regions.