NGT Halts Sai Upwan Forest Destruction

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued an interim order directing the Ghaziabad district magistrate to stop all illegal construction within the Sai Upwan city forest. This directive came during the hearing of a plea alleging extensive road and structure building inside the protected area.

An applicant, former municipal corporator Rajendra Tyagi, represented by counsel Akash Vasishtha, asserted that around 70,000 trees have been damaged or destroyed due to non-forest activities. The petition highlights that Sai Upwan is designated as a city forest in Ghaziabad's master plans, yet the Nagar Nigam is reportedly engaged in unauthorized construction.

The NGT is currently examining two separate matters concerning Sai Upwan. One case addresses wastewater discharge and construction waste dumping, while the other focuses on illegal construction and forest cover damage. These actions allegedly involve road construction, earth filling, and reclamation, significantly altering the land's nature and resulting in the loss of substantial green space.

Noting the absence of respondents during a recent hearing, the tribunal found the applicant's arguments uncontroverted. The matter is scheduled for further review on September 16. Earlier, on May 15, notices were issued to various authorities, including central and state environment ministries, local development bodies, and pollution control boards.