The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to key authorities, including the Delhi Development Authority and the Lieutenant Governor, in response to a petition alleging that the Kusumpur Pahadi redevelopment plan violates the 1992 Aravali Notification. The Society for Protection of Culture, Heritage, Environment, Traditions, and Promotion of National Awareness (SP-CHETNA) argues that the redevelopment, which proposes 2,800 new units, threatens a protected forest and exacerbates groundwater depletion in nearby Vasant Vihar. The NGT, in a September 10 order, highlighted potential environmental impacts and instructed the respondents to provide their responses by December 6, ahead of the December 13 hearing.
The National Green Tribunal has issued a notice to the Delhi Development Authority, the Lieutenant Governor, the Central Groundwater Authority of India, and the Ridge Management Board. This action follows a plea claiming that the proposed implementation of the "In Situ Slum Redevelopment and Rehabilitation on Public-Private Partnership Model 2019" in Kusumpur Pahadi, located in the Southern Central Ridge, breaches the Aravali Notification of 1992.
The NGT noted that the plea raised concerns about devotion to environmental regulations and the implementation of relevant legal provisions. The Society for Protection of Culture, Heritage, Environment, Traditions, and Promotion of National Awareness (SP-CHETNA) had submitted an application to the NGT, claiming that 692 acres of land northwest of Vasant Vihar, designated as a protected forest by the Delhi government, is restricted from non-forest activities.
The applicant alleged that mine labourers had settled in Kusumpur Pahadi, leading to encroachment and the area being designated as a JJ cluster. They argued that any further development in Kusumpur Pahadi should be prohibited. According to the petition, the in situ slum rehabilitation scheme involves constructing 2,800 dwelling units. Additionally, the petitioner referenced a report from the Central Ground Water Board, which indicated that Vasant Vihar was experiencing over-exploitation of groundwater resources.
In an order dated September 10, the bench led by Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted that the application raised concerns about the environmental impact of the proposed development, suggesting it could lead to degradation due to increased population and potentially threaten the ecological balance of south Delhi. The order, which was shared on Wednesday, required the four respondents to submit their responses at least one week before the next hearing scheduled for December 13.
The NGT's action reflects a significant step in examining the environmental implications of large-scale urban redevelopment projects. By challenging the Kusumpur Pahadi scheme, which proposes extensive construction in a sensitive area, the tribunal aims to uphold strict environmental protections and address concerns about forest conservation and groundwater depletion. The forthcoming responses from the Delhi Development Authority, the Lieutenant Governor, and other key agencies will be crucial in assessing whether the project can be modified to meet environmental standards. The December 13 hearing will be decisive in balancing development needs with environmental preservation.
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