New Delhi, March 31 The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought a response from the Centre and others in a matter concerning improper solid waste and sewage management in Sai Upvan, the 200-acre forest area in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
The green body was hearing a plea regarding the incessant dumping and burning of waste in the Sai Upvan city forest area, popularly known as the city's lungs, as well as the blockage of the stormwater drain passing through it.
The plea by former municipal corporator Rajendra Tyagi, filed by advocate Akash Vashishtha, claimed that around 70,000 trees were facing destruction in the area designated as a city forest in Ghaziabad's master plan.
In an order dated March 19, made available recently, a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Afroz Ahmad said, "Pointing out the issue of mis-managed solid waste disposal in Sai Upvan city, the counsel for the applicant has submitted that there is illegal dumping of solid waste in the area, and the burning of solid waste also takes place, resulting in about 70,000 trees drying up."
It also noted the mismanagement of sewage waste, stating that a part of the area was submerged due to overflowing sewage during the rainy season.
"Issue notice to the respondents to file their response/reply in the form of an affidavit before the tribunal at least one week before the next hearing (July 2)," the tribunal said.
The respondents in the matter are the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Uttar Pradesh government, the Central Pollution Control Board, the UP Pollution Control Board, the district magistrate (DM), the forest department of UP, the Ghaziabad Development Authority, and the Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam (municipal corporation).
The plea underlined that in a highly polluted city like Ghaziabad, Sai Upvan served as a medium to replenish fresh air and provide health benefits to millions of residents.
"Almost half of the Sai Upvan city forest has been destroyed over the last few years due to incessant waste dumping, incessant dumping and burning of solid wastes, massive accumulation of legacy waste, and other non-forest activities; mixing up of soil with legacy waste in a vast part of the forest area, causing massive soil contamination," the plea said.