National Green Tribunal stays further construction

 

Agra October 1 (IANS)

 

The National Green Tribunal today stayed construction in the reserved forest area around the Keitham Lake in Agra, on a petition by environmentalist DK Joshi, a member of the Supreme Court's monitoring committee.

 

Rahul Choudhary, advocate for the petitioner told IANS "the NGT will now take up the Soor Sarovar (Keitham Lake) matter on November 17 for detailed discussion."

 

Joshi in his petition has demanded demolition of all unauthorised structures. He had earlier  objected to construction on the periphery of the lake by the  engineering college which built two hostels and directed the waste towards the lake, in addition to installing high mast lights which disturbed the migratory birds.

 

In a related case the former district forest officer NK Janoo had imposed a fine of Rs 10 crores on the encroachers. Later DFO wild life Sujoy Bannerjea sealed the hostels and college premises which were however opened at the intervention of the local administration. The Lucknow High Court bench asked the district administration for compliance of the various orders, but due to political pressures the files could not move forward for action.

 

Joshi then filed a separate petition listing new grounds and providing additional information on the violation of the Forest Act and guidelines for wild life sanctuaries.