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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Ghaziabad District Magistrate to ensure that no illegal construction takes place in the 200-acre Sai Upvan forest area until the next hearing in September. The interim order was issued while hearing a petition alleging unauthorised construction, earth filling and other non-forest activities within the designated city forest. The tribunal observed that immediate intervention was necessary to prevent further environmental damage while the matter is under consideration. The case concerns the protection of one of Ghaziabad's key urban green spaces, which has been earmarked as a city forest under the Ghaziabad Master Plan 2031.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued an interim order directing the Ghaziabad District Magistrate to ensure that no illegal construction is carried out within Sai Upvan, a 200-acre city forest in Uttar Pradesh, pending further proceedings in the matter. The direction was issued during the past week while the tribunal heard a petition alleging environmental degradation and unauthorised development within the protected green area.
A bench of the NGT observed that immediate measures were required to prevent any further construction activity inside the forest and directed the District Magistrate to ensure strict compliance until the next hearing scheduled for September 16. The tribunal's interim order stated that no illegal construction should be permitted within Sai Upvan during this period.
The proceedings relate to a petition concerning the deteriorating environmental condition of Sai Upvan, which has been designated as a city forest under the Ghaziabad Master Plan 2031. The applicant alleged that unauthorised construction, earth filling, concretisation and other non-forest activities were being undertaken within the area, resulting in the loss of tree cover and ecological damage.
According to the petition, Sai Upvan serves as an important urban green space for Ghaziabad and plays a significant role in mitigating air pollution in one of India's most polluted urban regions. The applicant argued that converting portions of the forest into built-up areas would permanently reduce opportunities for afforestation and environmental conservation. The plea also sought directions for the demolition of structures allegedly raised within the forest and restoration of the affected land through large-scale plantation of native tree species.
The tribunal's intervention follows concerns that construction activities and land reclamation could alter the character of the designated forest area before the case is finally decided. By granting interim protection, the NGT has sought to maintain the existing status of the site while examining the allegations and responses from the concerned authorities.
The matter forms part of broader environmental proceedings concerning Sai Upvan, where issues including illegal construction, waste management, encroachment and conservation have been raised before the tribunal in recent months. The NGT will continue hearing the case after receiving responses from the concerned authorities, with the interim restriction on construction remaining in force until the next scheduled hearing.
Source - PTI
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